Smotrich Vows Jewish Settlements in Gaza, Rejects Election Night Pessimism

Despite exit polls projecting a "change bloc" victory in the 26th Knesset elections, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich expressed optimism to supporters, vowing to prevent the "change bloc" from celebrating. He stated that his party, Religious Zionism, would not allow them to reverse the settlement movement in Judea and Samaria, and declared that "Jewish settlements will be established in Gaza." Smotrich also asserted that Israel would not retreat from Lebanon.

Smotrich criticized unnamed individuals he accused of wasting votes and causing uncertainty, implying they were responsible for the potential failure of parties to pass the electoral threshold. He urged "brothers and partners in the Israeli public" to join Religious Zionism, stating "we have had enough of parties that do not pass the electoral threshold. We are returning to be together."

Exit polls from Channel 12, Channel 13, and Kan 11 indicated that Smotrich's Religious Zionism party would secure 6 mandates, a result that contrasted with earlier election surveys where the party struggled to surpass the blocking percentage. Smotrich, who previously served as a minister in the Defense Ministry and promoted the establishment of outposts and farms in Judea and Samaria as part of his "Decisive Plan," became the head of the Religious Zionism party (formerly the National Union-Tekumah) four years ago. In the previous election, his party ran with Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit. This time, after polls showed his party below the threshold, Smotrich allied with Moshe Feiglin's Zehut party, with Feiglin placed second on the list.