Smotrich and Feiglin Negotiate Joint Technical Bloc for Upcoming Elections

In parallel to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's failed attempt to unite Otzma Yehudit led by Itamar Ben-Gvir with the Religious Zionism party, a separate negotiation is underway within the right-wing bloc. Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich is in advanced talks with Moshe Feiglin, leader of the Zehut party, about running together in the upcoming elections as a technical bloc. According to the negotiations, Feiglin is expected to receive the second spot on the joint list, considered a realistic position. There is also discussion about Zehut potentially receiving the eighth and tenth spots, though this has not been finalized.

Feiglin's Zehut party previously ran in the 2019 elections, performing well in polls but ultimately failing to cross the electoral threshold with about three percent of the vote. Current polls show Zehut with roughly one percent support, which underpins Feiglin's demand for the second spot on the joint list. The goal of the talks between Smotrich and Feiglin is to strengthen the list and ensure it passes the electoral threshold, especially after the entry of Ofer Winter into the race, which has weakened Religious Zionism's polling.

Netanyahu was initially not involved in these talks but has since been informed and supports the idea of a union between Religious Zionism and Zehut. Meanwhile, Otzma Yehudit has firmly refused to join a joint list with Religious Zionism, stating their decision is final and no further discussions will take place. Both Smotrich and Feiglin declined to comment on the specifics of the negotiations or seat allocations but confirmed that talks about electoral alliances are ongoing.