Pollster Sees Liberal Religious Zionists Considering Return to Smotrich's Party
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Pollster Shlomo Filber believes liberal religious-nationalist voters are considering returning to the Religious Zionism party, led by Bezalel Smotrich. Filber observed this trend among members of his synagogue, many of whom feel they lack a suitable right-wing option. Smotrich's recent visit to the synagogue drew over 150 attendees, suggesting a potential shift in voter sentiment that could impact future elections.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Pollster Shlomo Filber sees liberal religious-nationalist voters potentially returning to the Religious Zionism party.
- Filber leads an informal focus group of bourgeois, liberal religious-nationalist voters at his synagogue.
- Many in this group feel they have "no one to vote for" on the right.
- Over 150 people attended a discussion with party chairman Bezalel Smotrich at Filber's synagogue.
- Smotrich addressed difficult questions, including the sensitive issue of yeshiva students' military conscription.
- Filber cautiously suggests that those who vowed not to vote for Smotrich might now consider it.
Pollster and strategic advisor Shlomo Filber has observed a potential shift among liberal, bourgeois, and religious-nationalist voters, suggesting they may be considering a return to the Religious Zionism party. Filber, who informally leads a focus group of such individuals at his synagogue for nearly a decade, described these voters as "lost souls in a severe leadership crisis" who have drifted between various parties. He noted that over the past year, many in his group have expressed a desire to return to the right but feel they "have no one to vote for."
A significant development occurred when Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of the Religious Zionism party and Minister of Finance, visited Filber's synagogue for a post-prayer discussion and kiddush. Despite some initial objections from congregants who felt political gatherings were inappropriate in the synagogue hall, and some chose to boycott the event, the turnout was unexpectedly large. Filber reported that over 150 congregants listened intently for an hour and a half as Smotrich addressed difficult questions, including the sensitive issue of yeshiva students' military conscription.
Filber cautiously concluded that if this community serves as a litmus test, it indicates that individuals who had vowed never to vote for Smotrich might ultimately do so. He stressed that it remains to be seen whether this trend will translate into actual votes on election day.
