Former Samaria Regional Council Deputy Head Rejoins Yisrael Beiteinu, Backs Liberman

Reuven Gur-Arieh, former deputy head of the Samaria Regional Council representing the Jewish Home party and a figure in religious Zionism, announced his departure from the Jewish Home and his joining of Yisrael Beiteinu. He declared his support for Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman as prime minister, citing a long process of political and ideological reevaluation. Gur-Arieh stated, "I believe Avigdor Liberman is a strong, experienced leader with a clear vision for Israel's future. He makes decisions responsibly and with statesmanship, and in my view, he is the only leader who can restore security to Israeli citizens."

Yisrael Beiteinu highlighted that Gur-Arieh's move is part of a broader trend of religious Zionist figures joining the party recently. Among these new members are Yossi Brodny, mayor of Givat Shmuel and head of Yisrael Beiteinu's religious Zionist faction; Rafi Ben Shitrit, former mayor of Beit She'an; Sharon Sharabi, a leader in the campaign for the return of hostages; retired Captain Israel Ben Shitrit, an advocate for IDF wounded rehabilitation and equal burden-sharing; retired Lieutenant Colonel Shmulik Barzilai, former senior prosecutor in the Jerusalem District Attorney's Office; and Lior Zabar, head of Yisrael Beiteinu's Judea and Samaria forum.