Religious Zionist Rabbis Meet Netanyahu, Urge Right-Wing Unity

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with dozens of rabbis, rabbinettes, and leading figures from the Religious Zionist community in Jerusalem on Tuesday. The meeting, organized by the Ma'aleh - The Center for Religious Zionism, lasted approximately two hours and focused on the need for right-wing parties to unite ahead of upcoming elections.

Netanyahu addressed the participants, emphasizing the importance of consolidation for smaller parties. "You need to tell the small parties, first of all, unite. Either unite or withdraw," he stated. He expressed pleasure at the reported unification of Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, saying, "I was happy to hear that Bezalel Smotrich and Feiglin united, wonderful. Well done."

Representatives from Ma'aleh offered their support to the Prime Minister, encouraging him to "continue to lead, continue to win on all fronts, continue the great revolutions you have started and we all need to see their execution." They concluded with a biblical quote, "Go in this strength of yours and save Israel."

The meeting included prominent figures such as Rabbi Eitan Eisman, Rabbi Yigal Levinstein, Rabbi Hagi Lonsky, Rabbi Uri Sherki, Rabbi Ariel Braly, Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Rimmon, Rabbi Meir Ilbitz, Rabbi Ben-Tzion Algazi, Rabbi Yossi Weitzman, and Rabbinettes Rivka Shimon, Yaffa Gisser, Dana Slay, and Idit Shila, among others.

This event occurred amidst broader political discussions, with Yair Lapid reportedly criticizing Netanyahu's performance and leadership.