Jerusalem Post/Israel Election 2026

With 85.6% of the vote counted, Hendel’s Reservists-Economic Party has received roughly 2.6% of the general vote, leaving them about 100,000 votes shy of the 3.25% threshold.

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Economic Party leader Yaron Zelekha and Reservists party leader Yoaz Hendel hold a press conference announcing their joint run in the election, in Tel Aviv, September 6, 2026
Economic Party leader Yaron Zelekha and Reservists party leader Yoaz Hendel hold a press conference announcing their joint run in the election, in Tel Aviv, September 6, 2026(photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, ASHER SMITHOCTOBER 28, 2026 20:00

Chairman of the Reservists-Economic Party Yoaz Hendel told N12 on Wednesday, “I am waiting for the counting of the double envelopes. I still call on everyone to form a Zionist government. We will wait for the soldier’s votes, and I hope we will succeed.”

Hendel declared, “If there is no Zionist government, we [Israel] will fall apart.”

In response to early projections that the Reservists-Economic Party would not cross the threshold, Hendel said, “I take responsibility for what happened, but the media kept drumming into people's heads that we wouldn't cross the electoral threshold. The media chose to highlight that figure."

With 85.6% of the vote counted, Hendel’s Reservists-Economic Party has received roughly 2.6% of the general vote, leaving them about 100,000 votes shy of the 3.25% threshold; however, Hendel is waiting on potentially higher support from double-envelope ballots, which have yet to be counted.

Winter pledges to continue fighting despite receiving no seats

People of Israel party leader Ofer Winter pledged on Wednesday to keep campaigning despite his party's projected failure to cross the electoral threshold and enter the Knesset, saying his movement remained committed to bringing new leadership to Israel.

Amcha Yisrael party chairman Ofer Winter at the party’s election headquarters in Glilot, central Israel, following the closing of polling stations and the release of exit poll results on Israel’s general election night, October 27, 2026.
Amcha Yisrael party chairman Ofer Winter at the party’s election headquarters in Glilot, central Israel, following the closing of polling stations and the release of exit poll results on Israel’s general election night, October 27, 2026. (credit: Liron Moldovan/Flash90)

In a statement on his Instagram account after Tuesday's election, Winter acknowledged that he failed to achieve his immediate political goal but insisted his party's campaign was only the beginning of a longer effort.

"Since October 7, a realization has taken shape within me that the people of Israel desperately need different leadership. United leadership, leadership that aspires to truth and justice, leadership that knows how to take responsibility," Winter wrote. "Unfortunately, I did not succeed. Not yet."

"Leadership that knows how to make decisions… We are here. For a long and shared journey."

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Source: The Jerusalem Post · JERUSALEM POST STAFF, ASHER SMITH

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