Smotrich Seeks Electable Candidates to Fill Party List Gaps

Just one day before the deadline for submitting party lists for the upcoming elections, a closed-door conversation involving Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich and party members has been revealed. Smotrich discussed the need to fill perceived gaps in the party's electoral slate, specifically mentioning the underrepresentation of women, Sephardic Jews, residents of the periphery, and those who have served in reserve duty.

According to a report by i24NEWS, Smotrich stated that he is "looking for a figure who meets as many of these criteria as possible." He acknowledged that while bringing a woman onto the list would be preferable, the candidate must ultimately prove electorally valuable. "Obviously, in our feeling, if we bring a woman, we will feel better, there is no argument about that at all, but it has to be worth it electorally in the end," he was quoted as saying.

The Religious Zionism party held its primaries in late July, with six candidates competing for two to three realistically winnable spots. Following the primaries, Tzviקה Mor was placed in fourth position, while a Smotrich-reserved slot remained unfilled in second place. Orit Strock secured the third spot, and Sm Tuvia Rothman was placed fifth.