Zionist Home-The Reservists chairperson, Chili Tropper, has begun holding a series of consultations, assessments, and talks as he weighs four possible political paths ahead of the deadline to submit Knesset candidate lists, in what could be the most consequential days of his political career.
The first option is to continue alongside Yoaz Hendel in an independent run through the election. Some within the party are pressing for precisely that course, arguing against rushing to withdraw from the race or join an existing party.
The hope is that there is still a chance to build momentum in the final days and fight to cross the electoral threshold.
Joining up with Eisenkot, Bennett, or Liberman
The second option, considered one of the most serious, is to join Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar. With this scenario, Tropper would make the move together with his associates, Shira Shapira and Elisaf Peretz, creating a political alliance as a group rather than making the move on his own.
That possibility is being examined and is considered one of the two most likely alternatives from Tropper's perspective.
A third possibility is a similar move involving Naftali Bennett's B'Yachad, with Tropper joining together with Shapira and Peretz. That option, however, is more complicated.
Bennett currently has little room to offer them, while his alliance with Yair Lapid has already added pressure to the candidate list, further reducing the number of available slots and limiting his room to maneuver.
Another possibility under consideration is joining Avigdor Liberman. Here, too, the difficulty is similar: The demand is not for a place for Tropper alone, but for a package that would include all three members of his group, and Liberman is struggling to offer an arrangement of that scope.
Of the four possibilities currently on the table, two appear more realistic: joining Eisenkot or deciding to go all in on an independent run.
Pressure is expected to intensify in the coming days as the deadline for submitting the Knesset lists approaches.
Tropper will have to decide whether to gamble on the strength of his independent political bid and remain in the race, or choose a new political home that can secure places for both him and his associates in the next Knesset.
Tropper declared he would not help Netanyahu build a coalition
Last month, Tropper declared that he would not serve in a Netanyahu-led government. In an interview with 103FM in July, Tropper said his party would not help establish a government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said he would not be part of a coalition dependent on parties that are not Zionist.
"I have not hidden my opinion about Netanyahu. I am not among those who hate or despise him, but everyone who was there on October 7 needs to finish their term," the MK said.
Tropper added that he would not provide Netanyahu with the votes needed to reach a 61-seat majority because, in his view, such a government would rely on non-Zionist political forces.
"I, as part of such a coalition, cannot be there," Tropper said.
The remarks sparked an uproar in an internal WhatsApp group belonging to Tropper and Hendel's party. Hendel sought to calm tensions, saying: "We will go with whoever brings the largest number of Zionist recommendations. Netanyahu repeatedly says that he is continuing with his coalition, a coalition that depends on non-Zionist votes, and therefore it is not relevant for us to be part of it."
Unlike his party colleague, Hendel did not categorically rule out serving in a government led by Netanyahu.
"If a broad unity government is formed with Eisenkot, Bennett, Liberman, Netanyahu and others, we will be part of it," Hendel said.