Religious Zionism Party Finalizes Knesset List with Feiglin and New Recruits

Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism party and current Finance Minister, has finalized the joint Knesset list with Moshe Feiglin's Zehut 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. The list also incorporates new additions such as reserve Lieutenant Colonel Itamar Itam and Reut Ben-Haim, co-founders of the "Tzav 9" movement, which opposed aid to Gaza during the recent conflict. Major General (res.) Yossi Bachar, a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz and a notable fighter during the October 7th Hamas attack, has also joined the party.

One significant shift on the list is the demotion of Knesset Member Ohad Tal. Tal, who secured fourth place in the party's primaries, was moved to the 12th position on the unified list due to the merger with Zehut and the inclusion of new candidates. Despite the personal setback, Tal expressed his support for the move, urging party members to prioritize the "national camp's" victory and put personal ambitions aside.

Tal stated that the merger with Feiglin's party and the new additions would strengthen the party and the broader national camp, potentially attract new voter demographics, and prevent the loss of right-wing votes. He hopes the move will ultimately benefit the party and its political goals.