Religious Zionists Set to Increase Knesset Presence Across Multiple Parties
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
Approximately 23 Religious Zionist lawmakers are expected to serve in the next Knesset, representing seven different political parties. These candidates come from varied backgrounds, including military service, education, and social activism. Notable figures include former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen, former minister Matan Kahana, and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. The Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit parties feature numerous candidates from the community, while others are running on lists like Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu, and the Democrats. Their diverse profiles reflect the broad spectrum of the Religious Zionist movement in Israeli politics.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Around 23 Religious Zionist lawmakers are projected to enter the next Knesset across seven parties.
- Candidates include former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen and ex-minister Matan Kahana.
- Naftali Bennett, the first kippah-wearing PM, leads the 'Together' party.
- The Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit parties have numerous candidates from the community.
- Elisha Medan, a disabled veteran, is running on the Likud list.
- Yair 'Yaya' Fink represents Religious Zionism on the secular Democrats list.
The upcoming Knesset is expected to feature a significant number of representatives from the Religious Zionist community, spanning across seven different political parties. These lawmakers, often referred to as "Srugim" (knitted kippah wearers), come from diverse backgrounds including yeshiva graduates, social organization leaders, security personnel, educators, and even individuals seeking to voice religious perspectives within secular-aligned parties.
Notable figures include Elisha Medan, a former combat soldier who lost legs in Gaza and is running on the Likud list, and Moshe Saada, also from Likud, who has a background in both Haredi and secular youth movements. Yoram Cohen, the first former Shin Bet chief to wear a kippah, is running for the Yisrael Beiteinu party, alongside Orit Farkash-Hacohen, a former chair of the Israel Electric Corporation. Matan Kahana, a former minister, and Hili Tropper, who previously served as Minister of Culture and Sport and donated a kidney, are also on the Yisrael Beiteinu list.
Other Religious Zionist candidates include Elazar Stern, a former head of IDF Manpower Directorate, and Shira Shapira, whose husband is the grandson of a signatory of Israel's Declaration of Independence. Naftali Bennett, the first prime minister to wear a kippah, is leading the Together party, and is the sole Religious Zionist candidate on his list. Rafi Ben-שטרית and Sharon Sharabi are running for Yisrael Beiteinu, with Ben-שטרית being a prominent voice calling for a state inquiry into the October 7th events.
The Religious Zionism party itself features prominent figures like its leader Bezalel Smotrich, Moshe Feiglin, Orit Struk, Shmuli Rothman, Zvika Mor, and Itamar Eitam. Otzma Yehudit, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, includes Yitzchak Wasserlauf, Amichai Eliyahu, Limor Son Har-Melech, and Chanamel Dorfman. Yair "Yaya" Fink is bringing a Religious Zionist perspective to the secular Democrats party.
These candidates represent a broad spectrum of the Religious Zionist community, showcasing a range of personal histories, professional experiences, and political ideologies, from those deeply rooted in traditional religious life to those who have bridged religious and secular worlds. Their presence across multiple parties highlights the growing influence and diverse expressions of this segment of Israeli society within the political landscape.
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