Smotrich Celebrates Election Night, Vows Jewish Settlements in Gaza
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of the Religious Zionism party, arrived at his election headquarters to celebrations and expressed optimism about the final results, hoping soldiers' votes would boost his party's seat count. Exit polls projected the party would win between six and seven seats in the Knesset. Smotrich vowed to continue settlement policies in Judea and Samaria and declared that Jewish settlements would be established in Gaza.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Bezalel Smotrich vowed to establish Jewish settlements in Gaza following election night celebrations.
- Religious Zionism party projected to win 6-7 seats based on initial election exit polls.
- Smotrich expressed hope that soldiers' votes, counted separately, would increase his party's mandate.
- He vowed to counter anticipated policy shifts favored by Arab parties regarding settlements.
- The party ran on a joint list with Moshe Feiglin's Identity party.
Bezalel Smotrich, the chairman of the Religious Zionism party and Minister of Finance, arrived at his party's headquarters in Jerusalem's Ramada Hotel about two hours after the initial election polls were released. He was greeted with dancing by party activists and rabbis.
In his speech, Smotrich expressed optimism about the final results, acknowledging the uncertainty and discrepancies between various polls. He specifically mentioned the potential impact of soldiers' votes, counted separately via double envelopes, on the final seat allocation. "It may be that the soldiers' votes will lift us up," he stated.
The Religious Zionism party, running in a joint list with the Identity party, was projected to win between six and seven seats in the Knesset according to six different exit polls. Most polls predicted six seats, while two predicted seven.
Smotrich also addressed reactions from Arab parties following the poll releases, asserting his commitment to advancing settlement policies. "I see on some screens that the Arabs are celebrating, so I announce to you and to them - we will not let them celebrate," he declared. He interpreted their celebrations as anticipation of a policy shift regarding Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria, vowing, "I announce to them - they will not succeed."
Concluding his remarks, Smotrich declared his intention to establish Jewish settlements in Gaza. "Jewish settlements will be established in Gaza," he stated.
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