Former Smotrich Aide Warns Noam Party's Strategy Weakens Right-Wing Bloc

Yoni Danino, who previously worked closely with Minister Bezalel Smotrich, has penned a letter to his former colleagues from the Midrasha at Yeshivat Mizpe Ramon, arguing that the Noam party's political strategy poses a significant risk to the right-wing bloc in Israel. Danino contends that Noam's singular focus on identity and cultural issues, while neglecting broader policy areas, is a fundamental political error that could prevent them from crossing the electoral threshold and inadvertently aid the left. He asserts that to succeed in Israeli politics, a party needs a wide array of values encompassing security, settlement, and economics, not just a narrow agenda.

Danino, who describes his close working relationship with Smotrich, praises the minister's ability to bridge religious values with practical political execution. He argues that Smotrich, a devout Torah scholar, is one of the most influential figures in the current government, impacting national policy across various sectors. Danino criticizes the Noam party's claim that the Religious Zionism party has not sufficiently addressed issues of education and Jewish identity, stating that Religious Zionism has achieved more in these areas than Noam has.

The former aide further explains that successful political action requires broad cooperation and the ability to translate principles into practical tools, a skill he believes Noam lacks. He points to Noam's failure in the previous Knesset, citing their inability to pass legislation, influence budgets, and execute government actions, even as a single-member faction. Danino suggests that if Noam had been politically supported by Smotrich, their impact could have been far greater.

Danino also addresses the potential electoral consequences of Noam's approach, predicting they will not pass the 3.25% electoral threshold needed to enter the Knesset. He warns that even a small number of votes, potentially just 15,000, could determine whether a right-wing or left-wing government is formed. He urges voters to consider the broader implications of their choices, suggesting that a failure to secure a strong right-wing mandate could lead to a government reliant on Arab parties, jeopardizing the very values Noam claims to champion.

In conclusion, Danino implores readers to consider whether Noam's perceived ideological purity justifies weakening the existing right-wing bloc and increasing the chances of a left-wing government. He fears that if such a government is formed, the focus on Jewish identity will become irrelevant amidst a struggle for the nation's core values.