Hendel Says His Party Has Begun Reviewing Election Defeat

Former minister Yoaz Hendel said on November 2 that Reservists-Economic has begun an internal review of its election defeat. He said the party would examine its mistakes and the gap between its expectations and the result, with the aim of preparing for another electoral contest. Hendel accepted responsibility for the party's formation, political alliances and performance at the polls. "We need to learn and draw lessons," he said. He said he intended to remain politically active and, asked about another election, said he would again seek to lead a third bloc. He also urged Benjamin Netanyahu, Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot to form a government together. Hendel said he opposed Netanyahu politically but argued that the three leaders should nevertheless cooperate. He criticized both existing political blocs and said repeated elections had reproduced the political impasse. Military service was another condition Hendel emphasized in discussing coalition negotiations. He argued that political leaders should uphold the commitments they had made on the issue, and criticized contacts with Haredi and Arab parties in that context. His proposed response to the election result combined a review of his own party's decisions with a renewed appeal for cooperation among the three national leaders.