Prominent Rabbi Threatens Halachic Ban on Voting for Small Right-Wing Parties

Rabbi Eliyahu Rachamim Zini, former chief rabbi of the Technion and head of the Ohr Ve'Yeshua Yeshiva, has called for the unification of right-wing and Religious Zionist parties, warning that he is considering issuing a religious ruling prohibiting voting for parties that are not guaranteed to pass Israel's electoral threshold. He expressed concern over the political fragmentation within the right-wing and Religious Zionist movements, citing the 2015 elections where, according to him, votes were wasted due to party splits.

Rabbi Zini emphasized the importance of unity, stating that common ground among these factions far outweighs their differences. He believes that at least two Religious Zionist parties should be capable of passing the electoral threshold. However, he also placed responsibility on larger, established parties, urging them to proactively invite other figures and smaller parties to join them.

Furthermore, Rabbi Zini criticized the relationship between Religious Zionist politicians and rabbinical leadership, noting a decline in this connection since the era of Naftali Bennett. He urged elected officials to heed the opinions of rabbis, even when they disagree.

Concluding the interview, Rabbi Zini reiterated his call for political unity, describing the refusal of parties to merge as a "desecration of God's name" and "real destruction."