Religious Zionism Party Finalizes Knesset List with Identity Party Merger

Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism party and current Finance Minister, has finalized the joint Knesset list with Moshe Feiglin's Identity party for the upcoming 26th Knesset elections. The combined list features prominent Religious Zionism members alongside Feiglin and several new candidates.

Smotrich heads the list, followed by Feiglin. Other key placements include Orit Strock and Simcha Rothman. New additions to the list include Itamar Eitam, a reserve lieutenant colonel and disabled IDF veteran who was severely wounded in Gaza and has accumulated nearly 700 reserve duty days since October 7th. Reut Ben Haim, a founder of the "Tzav 9" movement which opposed aid to Gaza during the war, has also joined.

Former Major General Yossi Bachar, a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz and a notable fighter during the October 7th Hamas attack, was also announced as a new addition, a move Smotrich stated would strengthen the party and the national camp.

A significant shift involves Knesset Member Ohad Tal. Initially ranked fourth in the Religious Zionism primaries, Tal has been moved to the 12th position on the unified list due to the merger and new candidate placements. Despite his personal disappointment, Tal expressed support for the move, urging party members to prioritize the national camp's victory and prevent vote loss to the right.