Reservists-Economy is a last-minute merger of two separate parties. It was announced on September 6, 2026, two days before the deadline to submit candidate lists.
The first party is Yoaz Hendel's The Reservists, founded in 2025. Its main cause is universal conscription with no exemptions; those who refuse would lose the right to vote and social benefits. It merged with Yaron Zelekha's Economic Party, which focuses on lowering the cost of living through deregulation and fighting monopolies.
Reservists-Economy combines a hard security line (keeping control over Gaza and Judea and Samaria/West Bank, and rejecting a Palestinian state) with a free-market economic agenda and moderate judicial reform. It presents itself as a "third bloc," neither in the coalition nor in the opposition.
On the judiciaryDetails Override with 72 MKsReservists-Economy accepts an , but only with more than 72 Knesset members.7Oct.Independent commission of inquiry?Yes: appointed by the Supreme Court
In short
This is a much higher bar than the versions of Likud or Otzma Yehudit. The Supreme Court would keep the power to strike down a law. Reservists-Economy also wants an independent state commission of inquiry into October 7, as soon as the government is formed.
What Reservists-Economy proposes
An only with more than 72 of the 120 Knesset members.
A : Legislation.
A judicial selection committee with a balanced makeup.
Israel should be able to launch a preemptive strike against a country or group that threatens it, even without the support of its allies.
The New Economic Party (Reservists) calls for a “more offensive” security doctrine, and Yoaz Hendel wrote in 2025 that giving up an independent Israeli strike on Iran was the government’s greatest failure.
Yoaz Hendel says his 'Reservists' party wants government without Haredi, Arab factions (Times of Israel) · Nov 20, 2025 · source ↗✕ Against
Israel should accept a long-term ceasefire in Gaza, even if Hamas is not fully disarmed.
The New Economic Party wants Gaza to no longer be a threat: Yoaz Hendel calls for dismantling “every trace” of Hamas, and Einat Wilf (number 3 on the list) believes it is necessary to go beyond disarmament.
Hendel: Tropper alliance won't rule out Netanyahu, will prioritize Zionist principles (Jerusalem Post) · Jul 23, 2026 · source ↗
Faced with Iran’s nuclear program, which approach should Israel favor?
Its position: A military action against Iran’s nuclear sites
Yoaz Hendel, leader of the New Economic Party, considers a deal with Iran “bad” and believes its nuclear facilities must be destroyed; the list has not published an official position on Iran in 2026.
Israel elections 2026: What does Tropper and Hendel's Zionist Home–The Reservists stand for? (Jerusalem Post) · Aug 11, 2026 · source ↗
Sources : Fourchette calculée à partir de 4 instituts entre le 16 et le 19 octobre 2026. Maariv/Lazar Research, N13 et Kan 11/Kantar le placent à 4 sièges. N12/Midgam le place sous le seuil électoral. Le détail complet par institut est disponible dans l'encart sondages de la fiche.
Reservists-Economy is a last-minute merger of two separate parties. It was announced on September 6, 2026, two days before the deadline to submit candidate lists.
The first party is Yoaz Hendel's The Reservists, founded in 2025. Its main cause is universal conscription with no exemptions; those who refuse would lose the right to vote and social benefits. It merged with Yaron Zelekha's Economic Party, which focuses on lowering the cost of living through deregulation and fighting monopolies.
Reservists-Economy combines a hard security line (keeping control over Gaza and Judea and Samaria/West Bank, and rejecting a Palestinian state) with a free-market economic agenda and moderate judicial reform. It presents itself as a "third bloc," neither in the coalition nor in the opposition.
Before you vote
What you need to know about this party’s positions before voting
Voting for Reservists-Economy means voting for a party born of a last-minute merger and never electorally tested in this form. Hendel's initial alliance with Chili Tropper broke apart in early September 2026 (with Tropper joining Yashar/Eisenkot), before Hendel hastily allied with Zelekha. This is real instability to take into account, not just a platform to assess on paper.
On military service
The party advances the most universalist approach on the political landscape: eliminating exemptions for everyone, including Haredim and Arab citizens, with concrete sanctions (loss of the right to vote and stand for election, tax benefits).
This is a markedly stricter position than that of most other parties, which negotiate exceptions for their own electorate.
On security and territory
Hendel advocates a hard line: maintaining security control in Gaza and in Judea and Samaria/the West Bank, rejecting a Palestinian state.
He personally proposed transferring approximately 1.5 million Gaza residents to a “tent city” outside the enclave. This is an individual proposal, not yet a formal position of the merged party, but it gives a measure of his stance.
On the economy
Zelekha advances a platform of deregulation rather than subsidies to lower the cost of living: abolishing customs tariffs on food, combating monopolies, reducing VAT and the marginal income tax rate.
This is a different theory from that of parties that respond to the high cost of living with direct assistance.
On the judiciary
The party supports a measured judicial reform: an override clause with a very high threshold (more than 72 of the 120 Knesset members) to override a Supreme Court annulment.
This is markedly more restrictive than the versions advanced by Likud or Otzma Yehudit, positioning it on the moderate wing of the right on this axis.
Key positions
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
The list opposes the creation of a Palestinian state. On October 1, 2026, Yoaz Hendel states, regarding Yair Golan: “He is in favor of a Palestinian state, I am against it.”
Territories & Settlements
The list supports settlement in Judea and Samaria/the West Bank, including farms. On October 1, 2026, Yoaz Hendel declares: “I support settlement in Judea and Samaria, I also support the farms project.”
Military Service & Haredi Society
The New Economic Party demands a universal service law before any government is formed, with sanctions for draft evaders. There is a nuance between its two components: Yaron Zelekha accepts an exemption for 500 to 800 genuine Torah scholars, while Yoaz Hendel talks about service “for everyone”.
Democracy & Institutions
The New Economic Party supports an override clause, but only if more than 72 MKs vote to reinstate the law. The New Economic Party first wants a : Legislation and a more balanced judicial selection committee.
Israel’s Jewish & Democratic Identity
The list refuses to enter a with Arab or Haredi parties: on October 13, 2026, Yoaz Hendel declares that he will sit with neither, and Yaron Zelekha declares that he will not sit in a government that includes Arab parties.
Economy, Welfare & Public Services
Yaron Zelekha, number 2 on the list, promises to eliminate all customs duties and import quotas, prevent local monopolies from also controlling imports, and ban exclusive import agreements.
History
The party emerged from the merger, announced on September 6, 2026 (two days before the deadline for submitting candidate lists), of two distinct parties.
The Reservists was founded on September 18, 2025 by Yoaz Hendel, a reserve commander and former Minister of Communications, out of a civic movement of the same name advocating universal conscription and tougher sanctions against draft evaders. The party proposes making voting rights, driving licenses, social benefits and travel conditional on completing service.
The Economic Party was founded on December 30, 2020 by Yaron Zelekha, an economist and former Accountant General at the Ministry of Finance, on a platform of economic reform and combating the high cost of living, market concentration and corruption.
Former Knesset member Einat Wilf joined the merged list, placed 3rd. The party positions itself as a “third bloc” between the coalition and the opposition.
Current platform
✓The party advocates a hard security line: maintaining a security presence in Gaza and in Judea and Samaria/the West Bank, and rejecting any Palestinian state.
✓It proposes eliminating exemptions from national service for everyone, including Haredim and Israeli Arabs.
✓It pursues a moderate judicial reform: a “balanced” appointments committee, an override clause with a high threshold (more than 72 of the 120 Knesset members).
✓It proposes a reduction in VAT and deregulation to lower the cost of living.
✓It proposes education reform: smaller classes and strengthened technical and scientific tracks.
Promises and record
The party emerged from a very recent merger, two days before the deadline for submitting candidate lists, and has never been electorally tested in this form. There is therefore no record in government to assess.
Candidate list (19)
5 women14 men
Documented positions
Security & National Defense3 positions+
Israel should be able to launch a preemptive strike against a country or group that threatens it, even without the support of its allies.
The New Economic Party (Reservists) calls for a “more offensive” security doctrine, and Yoaz Hendel wrote in 2025 that giving up an independent Israeli strike on Iran was the government’s greatest failure.
Israel should accept a long-term ceasefire in Gaza, even if Hamas is not fully disarmed.
The New Economic Party wants Gaza to no longer be a threat: Yoaz Hendel calls for dismantling “every trace” of Hamas, and Einat Wilf (number 3 on the list) believes it is necessary to go beyond disarmament.
Faced with Iran’s nuclear program, which approach should Israel favor?
Yoaz Hendel, leader of the New Economic Party, considers a deal with Iran “bad” and believes its nuclear facilities must be destroyed; the list has not published an official position on Iran in 2026.
To reach an agreement with the Palestinians, Israel should be ready to give up part of Judea and Samaria/West Bank.
The New Economic Party does not talk about ceding territory, but Yoaz Hendel rejects a Palestinian state and wants Israel to control the high ground of Judea and Samaria/the West Bank.
Israel should accept the creation of a Palestinian state as part of a peace agreement.
The list opposes the creation of a Palestinian state. On October 1, 2026, Yoaz Hendel states, regarding Yair Golan: “He is in favor of a Palestinian state, I am against it.”
Inferred position: the New Economic Party has no plan for the administration of Gaza. Yoaz Hendel wants to keep the security perimeter and an Israeli presence “the day after”, while Einat Wilf (number 3 on the list) proposes adopting the principles of the 20-point plan of the “Board of Peace”, which is closer to an international transition.
Israel should let more humanitarian aid into Gaza, even if part of it risks being diverted by Hamas.
In February 2025, Yoaz Hendel, leader of the New Economic Party, called for cutting off water, electricity and food to Gaza, except in closed, secured zones under Israeli control. This statement dates from the war; no more recent position was found.
Existing settlements in Judea and Samaria/West Bank should be able to expand.
The list supports settlement in Judea and Samaria/the West Bank, including farms. On October 1, 2026, Yoaz Hendel declares: “I support settlement in Judea and Samaria, I also support the farms project.”
On which part of Judea and Samaria/West Bank should Israel apply its sovereignty?
The New Economic Party has no recent position on sovereignty; in 2020, Yoaz Hendel supported sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and the major blocs (Gush Etzion, Ma’ale Adumim) under the Trump plan. Value between “Jordan Valley” and “”.
What should Israel do about military service for yeshiva students?
The New Economic Party demands a universal service law before any government is formed, with sanctions for draft evaders. There is a nuance between its two components: Yaron Zelekha accepts an exemption for 500 to 800 genuine Torah scholars, while Yoaz Hendel talks about service “for everyone”.
Israel should allow civil marriage, in addition to religious marriage.
In 2021 and 2022, Yoaz Hendel, leader of the New Economic Party, wanted an alternative for those who cannot marry through the Chief Rabbinate, preferably a “civil union”, and wanted the state to be less involved in religion.
Should the be able to strike down a law passed by the ?
The New Economic Party supports an override clause, but only if more than 72 MKs vote to reinstate the law. The New Economic Party first wants a Basic Law: Legislation and a more balanced judicial selection committee.
The October 7 inquiry should be entrusted to a , whose members are appointed by the Supreme Court president, rather than to a commission whose members are chosen by the Knesset.
The list supports a state commission of inquiry into October 7, appointed by the Supreme Court, “preferably by Justice Sohlberg,” with a broadly agreed-upon composition, and asserts that those responsible must “go home.”
An Arab party should be able to be part of a governing coalition.
The list refuses to enter a coalition with Arab or Haredi parties: on October 13, 2026, Yoaz Hendel declares that he will sit with neither, and Yaron Zelekha declares that he will not sit in a government that includes Arab parties.
What would be the best way to lower prices in Israel?
Yaron Zelekha, number 2 on the list, promises to eliminate all customs duties and import quotas, prevent local monopolies from also controlling imports, and ban exclusive import agreements.
The state should lower taxes, even if this means cutting some public spending.
The list seeks to lower taxes. Yaron Zelekha proposes financing tax reductions for small businesses, consumers and salaried employees by eliminating tax benefits for large companies, rather than through budget cuts.
Israel should create a civil union open to same-sex couples, with the same rights as married couples.
In 2022, Yoaz Hendel, leader of the New Economic Party, wanted a “civil union” also open to same-sex couples, rather than marriage; he did not specify whether the rights would be identical.
Israel should gradually reduce the military aid it receives from the United States, to have more freedom in its choices.
Inferred position: the New Economic Party has not addressed US aid; Yoaz Hendel wrote in 2025 that Israel must not depend on any foreign defense industry, “not even the United States”.
The time a Prime Minister can stay in power should be limited by law, for example to eight years.
The platform of the Hendel-Tropper alliance (August 2026, before the merger with Yaron Zelekha) provided for a law limiting the Prime Minister’s term in office; the New Economic Party has not repeated it since.
Schools and municipalities should have more freedom to manage their budget, hire their teachers and organize their teaching, instead of everything being decided by the Ministry of Education.
The New Economic Party wants to reduce bureaucracy at the Ministry of Education and give more autonomy to school principals; it does not mention municipalities.
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