37 Facts About Yoaz Hendel

Yoaz Hendel is an Israeli politician and public figure who served as Minister of Communications and as a member of the Knesset.

Yoaz Hendel is a author, publicist, public activist, businessman, and a battalion commander in the reserves.

Yoaz Hendel was born in Petah Tikva to Miriam and Yona Yoaz Hendel, the latter of whom immigrated from Romania in 1961.

Yoaz Hendel was raised in Elkana, Samaria, in a religious-nationalist household.

In 1993, Yoaz Hendel enlisted in the IDF and volunteered for the naval commando unit.

Yoaz Hendel completed the commando training and later attended the infantry officers' course.

Yoaz 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.

Yoaz 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 February 2012, Yoaz Hendel resigned due to the Natan Eshel affair.

Yoaz 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.

From 2009 to 2013, Yoaz Hendel served as a lecturer in courses on terrorism and guerrilla warfare at Bar-Ilan University.

Yoaz Hendel 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, Yoaz Hendel co-authored Let the IDF Win with Professor Zaki Shalom, analyzing the Second Intifada and the fight against terrorist organizations.

In 2012, Yoaz Hendel became head of the Institute for Zionist Straties.

In October 2012, Yoaz Hendel was awarded the Knight of Quality Government title by the Movement for the Quality of Government in Israel for exposing the Natan Eshel affair.

Yoaz Hendel argued that the right to the Land of Israel comes with a moral obligation.

Yoaz Hendel emphasized that Zionism is not exclusive to the right and that human rights are not exclusive to the left.

Yoaz Hendel served on the public council of the Beit Hillel Rabbinical Organization, Natal, and the board of trustees of the "Bshvil Hamachar" association, and other organizations.

Yoaz Hendel was placed 9th on the Blue and White slate and entered the Knesset.

On October 3,2019, Yoaz Hendel was sworn in as a Member of the 22nd Knesset.

In May 2020, Yoaz Hendel was appointed as Minister of Communications in the thirty-fifth government of Israel.

In June 2020, Yoaz Hendel announced a reform to solve the issue of fake text messages.

Yoaz Hendel's ministry led a major reform, enabling and regulating the spread of advanced fiber optics throughout Israel.

Yoaz Hendel adopted the recommendations of the Rosen Committee regarding the postal services.

In June 2020, Yoaz Hendel requested that the Director-General of Israel's Government Advertising Agency provide the advertising statistics regarding Facebook, in order to reduce the number of governmental advertisements on Facebook and Google, in light of the global protests against them.

In November 2020, Yoaz Hendel visited Rwanda, and met with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

In December 2020 Yoaz Hendel was relieved by Benny Gantz from his position as Minister of Communications due to Yoaz Hendel's joining New Hope.

Yoaz Hendel was placed fourth on New Hope's list for the 2021 elections.

Yoaz Hendel retained his seat in the Knesset as New Hope won six seats.

In June 2021, Yoaz Hendel again became Minister of Communications in the thirty-sixth government of Israel.

Yoaz Hendel resigned his Knesset seat under the Norwegian Law and was replaced by Zvi Hauser.

Just a few days after taking office, Yoaz Hendel approved the cancellation of the separation between internet supplier and infrastructure.

Ahead of the Knesset elections of November 2022, Yoaz Hendel signed a unification agreement with the Yamina party led by Ayelet Shaked to create the Zionist Spirit list, and was placed second.

Yoaz Hendel is a self-described right-wing, liberal nationalist with a right-wing pragmatic approach.

Yoaz Hendel is generally considered to be on the center-right of Israeli politics.

Yoaz Hendel argues in his columns that the real right to the Land of Israel is accompanied by a moral debt.

Yoaz Hendel is married to Shiri, has four children, and lives in Nes Harim.