Netanyahu, Smotrich Forge Alliance; Hendel Urges Winter to Sign Surplus Deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Religious Zionist Party leader Bezalel Smotrich have signed a surplus vote agreement, a pact that allows parties to transfer unused votes to each other to maximize their electoral strength. The two parties will hold a joint rally titled "Saving the Right" to mobilize approximately 200,000 potential right-wing voters who are not expected to vote. The initiative aims to energize voters by implementing a four-stage plan including joint outreach, door-to-door campaigning in strategic locations, assistance for voters unable to reach polling stations, and community leaders encouraging votes.

Notably absent from the event is Itamar Ben-Gvir, chairman of Otzma Yehudit. This comes as former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef sharply criticized Ben-Gvir, accusing him of speaking with slogans but achieving nothing and acting against the counsel of senior rabbis by ascending the Temple Mount. Yosef questioned how one could empower someone who openly defies religious leaders.

Meanwhile, Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Economic Reservists party, called on Ofer Winter, chairman of Am Israel, to sign a surplus vote agreement and withdraw his commitment to join a Netanyahu-led government with Haredi parties. Hendel argued that governments dependent on non-Zionist parties make non-Zionist decisions. He specifically addressed Winter, urging him to form a "blocking bloc" against non-Zionist governments and coalitions with Haredi or Arab parties, emphasizing the need for Zionist cooperation and increased military conscription, which he believes is hindered by Haredi parties.