Chili Tropper Joins Gadi Eisenkot's Party in Key Role

Chili Tropper has formally signed an agreement to join "Yashar!", the political party led by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, and will be placed sixth on the party's Knesset list. The announcement comes just hours after Tropper dissolved his "Habayit Hazioni" (The Zionist Home) partnership with Yoaz Hendel. Also joining the slate is Shira Shapira, mother of fallen soldier Aner Shapira, who will occupy the tenth position.

Additional candidates include Elyasaf Peretz, an educator and reserve soldier whose brothers Lt. Uriel and Maj. Eliraz Peretz were killed in service and who founded the "Our Brothers" organization, and Shlomi Yahiav, former chairman of the National Student Union and a reserve major and commander.

According to a statement from Yashar!, the merger aims to establish "a Zionist and statesmanlike government that will serve as a worthy governing alternative, working to strengthen cohesion in Israeli society, connect different segments of the nation, support those who serve, and restore trust and partnership among us."

Eisenkot welcomed the new additions, describing Tropper as "a values-driven and statesmanlike leader, a man of action and service, who shares our belief in responsibility, national unity, and deep commitment to the State of Israel." The former military chief added: "The connection with Chili, Shira, Elyasaf, and Shlomi strengthens the values-based and quality team we are building and the Zionist, service-oriented, and statesmanlike alternative to the October 7th government. We continue to unite forces and expand our ranks in order to win the elections, replace the government, and establish a broad, responsible, and unifying government that will restore public trust and return Israel to the straight path!"

In his own statement, Tropper emphasized the gravity of the moment. "These are decisive days that require us to make responsible decisions and look out for Israel's best interests. 'Beit Zioni' will join the straight path led by Gadi Eisenkot. We will continue working toward establishing a Zionist government, internal cohesion within the people of Israel, and worthy leadership."

He continued: "Naturally, there is extensive discussion these days about the political aspects, but leadership is first and foremost about personal example, responsibility, integrity, and humanity, and these are the characteristics that define Gadi as a person and as a leader. In recent years I have seen Gadi up close. Even in the most difficult days of loss and war, I witnessed Gadi's mental resilience and moral backbone. This is what worthy leadership looks like."

Tropper concluded: "Now is the time to reconnect Israel internally. Now is the time to work hard in partnership and friendship, from morning until night, out of great love for the people and the land. After you, Gadi!"

The alliance between Tropper and Eisenkot was formalized mere hours after Tropper announced the dissolution of "Habayit Hazioni" and his separation from Yoaz Hendel.

In a joint statement, the two longtime friends explained their decision: "True friendship. We have more than 20 years between us of being neighbors, friends, sitting next to each other in synagogue, and even several years of joint reserve duty. Both of us chose to try to serve the public through the political arena as well—in some cases together and in other cases separately, but with very similar ideological outlooks. In recent weeks we established Beit Zioni-HaMiluimnikim together, with a clear goal: establishing a Zionist government, with an effort to make it as broad as possible."

They noted that while the party gained significant traction and many joined, "facing the complex political reality, each of us made a personal decision." The statement concluded: "Both of us remain committed to continuing to serve the state and work for those who serve and for internal cohesion, each from his own position. What matters is the ideological partnership that remains intact, the belief that we will still cooperate in the public sphere, and of course the friendship—even if you search really hard, you won't find a trace of bad blood. This is a friendship of many years that began before the political journey and will continue long after."