Hendel warns Israel could ‘fall apart’ as anti-Netanyahu bloc weighs draft compromise

Yoaz Hendel, a former minister whose party did not win enough seats to enter the current Knesset, warned on Sunday that Israel could "fall apart" if the anti-Netanyahu bloc reaches a compromise with haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties on military conscription. Hendel, who chairs the Reservists-Economic party, expressed his dismay at the possibility of the coalition abandoning their principles regarding conscription, stating, "If we don't do this now, the State of Israel will fall apart."

Hendel criticized the parties involved in the anti-Netanyahu bloc for abandoning their commitment to conscription. He stated, "I told you I was afraid that if they had to get to 61 [seats, a Knesset majority], they would give up on the draft law. 'Forget it,' that's not likely, it won't happen." Hendel expressed disappointment that his party's promises of an alliance of those who serve and conscription for everyone were not upheld.

The former minister highlighted the division within Israel, noting the discrepancy between the slogans on buses and the realities on the ground. He lamented the loss of governance in the Negev and Galilee, where some communities sing patriotic songs while others express support for "the rule of the heretics."

Hendel accused the Change bloc of reneging on their commitment to conscription, stating, "The Change bloc, which claimed that the flag of those who serve was what mattered to it, has already given up." He further criticized Netanyahu's supporters for falsely claiming that everyone is the same, suggesting that they should have agreed in advance that those who don't serve get nothing, regardless of their political views.

Hendel reflected on his own election failure, stating that he brought in 155,000 votes and that it was enough to give his voice a platform. He emphasized that his mission is not in the Knesset but outside, fighting to prevent the State of Israel from breaking apart into autonomous enclaves. He concluded, "My mission is not in the Knesset; it's outside. It's to fight so that the State of Israel doesn't break apart into autonomous enclaves, because otherwise we will leave our children a country with a non-Zionist majority."