Yoaz Hendel

Yoaz Hendel was born in 1975 in Petah Tikva

Hendel was born in Petah Tikva in 1975 to Miriam and Yona Hendel. His father came from Romania in 1961. He grew up in a religious-nationalist home in Elkana and became secular during high school.

He joined the IDF in 1993 and served in Shayetet 13, later working in security roles including the Shin Bet. He holds a doctorate in history from Tel Aviv University on intelligence in the ancient world.

From 2009 to 2013 he taught at Bar-Ilan University. He wrote columns for Yedioth Ahronoth and Makor Rishon and co-wrote books on the Second Intifada and on Israel and Iran. In 2011 he became head of the National Information Division in the Prime Minister's Office and resigned in 2012 over the Natan Eshel affair.

He joined Telem in 2019 and entered the Knesset with Blue and White. In 2020 he founded Derech Eretz with Zvi Hauser and became Minister of Communications, a post he held again from 2021 to 2022 for New Hope. His work included fiber optic and postal reforms.

In 2022 he formed the Zionist Spirit list with Ayelet Shaked, but the partnership ended and he took a break from politics. He later commanded a reserve battalion in the Iron Swords War and founded the Reservists party.