Religious Zionism and Zehut Form Technical Alliance Ahead of Elections

In a surprising development for Israeli politics ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of the Religious Zionism party, and Moshe Feiglin, leader of the Zehut party, have agreed to run together on a unified list. The agreement establishes a technical bloc, allowing both parties to maintain their independence and potentially separate after the elections. Feiglin is slated to take the second position on the list, immediately after Smotrich, with two additional spots in the top ten reserved for Zehut representatives, specifically the eighth and tenth positions. Some reports suggest an eleventh spot may also be allocated to a Zehut member.

This alliance is seen as a strategic move by Smotrich to potentially broaden the right-wing coalition before the candidate lists are finalized. The Religious Zionism party is reportedly monitoring the political standing of Ofer Vinter, whose support for Benjamin Netanyahu may have alienated some voters opposed to his continued premiership. If Vinter's party approaches the electoral threshold, pressure for further consolidation on the right could increase.

For Feiglin, this deal marks a significant return to the political forefront, securing him a high position on the list and a realistic chance of re-entering the Knesset. However, the agreement includes a clause allowing for the potential inclusion of Ofer Vinter. Should Vinter join, Feiglin would reportedly move from the second to the third spot on the list.

Meanwhile, Itamar Ben-Gvir's party, a current partner of Religious Zionism, has rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call for reunification. Ben-Gvir's party, sensing its own electoral potential, has refused to merge with Smotrich's list. This creates a complex scenario on the right, with Smotrich expanding his bloc, Feiglin gaining a political comeback opportunity, and Ben-Gvir opting for independent action, highlighting the fluid nature of the right-wing political landscape with the October 2026 elections still some time away.