Yoaz Hendel

Yoaz Hendel (Hebrew: יועז הנדל; born 22 May 1975) is an Israeli politician and public figure who served as Minister of Communications and as a member of the Knesset. He is also an author, publicist, public activist, businessman, and a battalion commander in the reserves. Additionally, he is the founder and chairman of the Miluimnikim ("Reservists") Movement. Hendel holds a doctorate in history and previously served as a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Bar-Ilan University. Before entering politics, he worked in the defense establishment, was a journalist and columnist, hosted radio and television programs, and served as head of the Institute for Zionist Strategies.

Hendel was born in Petah Tikva to Miriam and Yona Hendel, the latter of whom immigrated from Romania in 1961. He was raised in Elkana, Samaria, in a religious-nationalist household. During high school, he decided to stop wearing a kippah.

In 1993, Hendel enlisted in the IDF and volunteered for the naval commando unit (“Shayetet 13”). He completed the commando training and later attended the infantry officers' course. Afterwards, he returned to Shayetet 13 as a team commander and later served as a company commander, including during Operation Grapes of Wrath. Hendel was discharged after approximately six and a half years but continued serving in various security positions until the age of 29, including a role in the Shin Bet during the Second Intifada.^{[circular reference]}

Hendel is a lieutenant colonel in the reserves and has participated in multiple military operations, including the Second Lebanon War, Operation Cast Lead, Operation Protective Edge, and the Iron Swords War. In 2015, he established the Omer Unit, a special reserve command unit composed of veterans from elite units such as the Shayetet 13, Sayeret Matkal (the special reconnaissance unit), and Shaldag (the air force's special unit). After leaving politics, he returned to the reserves and fought in the Iron Swords War as the commander of Battalion 8555.

In August 2011, Hendel was appointed head of the National Information Division in the Prime Minister's Office. In early 2012, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu selected him as a member of the negotiating team with the Palestinians in Jordan. However, the talks ended on 26 January 2012. In February 2012, Hendel resigned due to the Natan Eshel affair.

Hendel earned a doctorate in history from Tel Aviv University, focusing on intelligence methods in the ancient world, from the Hasmonean Revolt to the Bar Kokhba Revolt. During his studies, he was a research fellow at the Jaffe Center for Strategic Studies, publishing several studies on Israeli intelligence, the Second Lebanon War, and guerrilla warfare.

From 2009 to 2013, Hendel served as a lecturer in courses on terrorism and guerrilla warfare at Bar-Ilan University. He was a regular columnist for Yedioth Ahronoth and Makor Rishon and hosted and participated in various radio and television programs on current affairs.

In 2010, Hendel co-authored Let the IDF Win with Professor Zaki Shalom, analyzing the Second Intifada and the fight against terrorist organizations. The book won the first Moldovan Military Literature Prize that year. In 2011, he co-authored Israel vs. Iran – The Shadow War with journalist Yaakov Katz, detailing the covert war between Israel and Iran.