Religious Zionism and Identity Parties Announce Unity Amidst Past Feuds

The Religious Zionism party, led by Bezalel Smotrich, and the Identity party, headed by Moshe Feiglin, have officially announced a political and technical union. This merger comes despite a history of harsh public exchanges between the two leaders.

Smotrich has previously referred to Feiglin as a "false messiah" and "deranged." In turn, Feiglin accused Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir of "stealing horses" and lacking vision. Feiglin also criticized them for allegedly "assisting in the killing of our sons in Gaza" and implementing left-wing policies while in a right-wing government.

Feiglin has argued that his party, Identity, offers a broad national vision that the right-wing has historically lacked, contrasting it with the Oslo Accords and subsequent "atrocities." He suggested that a new alliance including Identity, Otzma Yehudit, and Religious Zionism could surpass the Likud in elections and form a national government.

Smotrich's past criticisms of Feiglin often focused on Feiglin's advocacy for cannabis legalization, which Smotrich labeled a "false messiah" and a "golden calf" that would lead to increased drug use and a left-wing government. Smotrich also questioned Feiglin's claims of influencing policy decisions, such as the settlement arrangements in the Negev, calling them detached from reality.