Smotrich and Feiglin Unite Right-Wing Factions, Urge Ofer Winter to Join

Religious Zionism Party leader and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, along with Zehut Party chairman Moshe Feiglin, have signed an agreement to run together in a technical bloc for the upcoming elections. This alliance aims to prevent the loss of right-wing votes and ensure mandates are not wasted.

Smotrich described the move as a critical turning point, emphasizing the responsibility of right-wing leaders to unite forces beyond their individual parties. He called on other parties in the camp to join the effort, stating that agreement on all issues is not necessary for joint action.

Feiglin hailed the union as a historic development that many have awaited, designed to maximize the strength of the national and religious camp. He stated that Zehut has fulfilled its part and now the public must rally to secure victory.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir welcomed the merger, calling it essential for parties to pass the electoral threshold. He issued a dramatic public appeal to Ofer Winter to immediately join the bloc, asserting there is no room for separate runs for parties unlikely to pass the threshold.

Sources indicate that if Winter joins, Feiglin might agree to take the third spot on the unified list. The agreement preserves the independence of both parties while creating a technical framework. Lawyer Rabbi Yitzhak Zaga, currently second on Zehut's list, is expected to be placed eighth on the joint list. Dr. Michael Ben-Ari has voluntarily withdrawn from Zehut following the union. The door remains open for other factions to join.

The merger follows weeks of tension and behind-the-scenes negotiations, reportedly mediated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Ben-Gvir had previously accused Netanyahu and Smotrich of orchestrating a "staged call for unity" to lower Feiglin's negotiation demands. Feiglin himself had previously threatened to be a "madman" if unity talks failed.