Smotrich and Feiglin Eye Joint List Amid Poll Struggles

Israeli Finance Minister and Religious Zionist Party leader Betsalel Smotrich is expected to announce a joint electoral bid with Moshe Feiglin on Tuesday evening for the October 27 elections, according to the Jerusalem Post. This alliance comes as both their parties face significant challenges in recent opinion polls. The Religious Zionist Party is hovering around the electoral threshold, while Feiglin's party, Zehut, has struggled to surpass it.

Reports from Israeli media suggest Smotrich and Feiglin may also approach reserve Brigadier General Ofer Winter to join their joint list. Winter's new party, The People of Israel, is currently polling around five seats and could draw votes from the Religious Zionist Party, potentially pushing Smotrich's faction below the electoral threshold.

Last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to run together, as they did in the 2022 elections. However, Ben-Gvir, who leads the Otzma Yehudit party, publicly rejected this proposal. This refusal reportedly accelerated the negotiations between Smotrich and Feiglin.

Smotrich has stated his intention to remain within Netanyahu's political bloc after the election. The anticipated announcement occurs as several smaller right-wing parties remain below the electoral threshold with candidate lists nearing their deadline. Netanyahu has cautioned voters against supporting these smaller parties, warning that a fragmented vote could jeopardize his camp's victory and allow the opposition to form the next government.

Moshe Feiglin, a former Likud Knesset member, left the party after not securing a high enough position on its electoral slate and founded Zehut in 2015. Both Zehut and the Religious Zionist Party advocate for a hardline security stance, including the annexation of the West Bank and Gaza. Feiglin's party also promotes a libertarian economic agenda and supports cannabis legalization.