Smotrich and Feiglin Near Joint Party List Agreement Amid Right-Wing Unity Talks

Negotiations are advancing between Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionist Party, and Moshe Feiglin, head of the Zehut party, toward a joint electoral list. Under the emerging agreement, Feiglin is expected to receive the second spot on the combined list, with discussions ongoing about additional placements, including proposals to reserve the eighth and tenth slots for Feiglin's representatives.

This development comes amid Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's pressure on Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir to consider uniting right-wing factions to avoid vote splitting. Netanyahu emphasized in an official statement that "no vote should be wasted, and unity is essential to save the right-wing bloc." However, Otzma Yehudit, led by Ben-Gvir, swiftly rejected any alliance with the Religious Zionist Party, declaring the decision final and canceling planned meetings.

In response to the criticism that the Religious Zionist Party has focused mainly on Judea and Samaria, the party launched the "Yes. We Are Settlers!" campaign to promote Jewish settlement expansion in the Negev and Galilee, aiming to replicate their model from the West Bank. The plan includes establishing new communities and farms and expanding existing settlements.

The talks between Smotrich and Feiglin have sparked tensions with Ben-Gvir, who accused Netanyahu of orchestrating a staged call for unity to pressure Feiglin and diminish his demands. Ben-Gvir criticized Netanyahu and Smotrich for sidelining him and questioned the sincerity of their unity appeals. Likud MK Almog Cohen and Netanyahu's son Yair also weighed in, with Cohen urging responsibility for the right-wing bloc and Yair accusing Ben-Gvir of risking the right's electoral success by refusing alliances.

The political maneuvering highlights the fragmented nature of Israel's right-wing ahead of upcoming elections, with competing factions debating how best to consolidate power and avoid losing seats due to vote dispersion.