Religious Zionism Leader Offers Rabbi Avraham Zarviv Second Spot on Knesset List

Religious Zionism party chairman and minister Bezalel Smotrich recently met with Rabbi Avraham Zarviv, a dayan (rabbinical judge) in the regional rabbinical courts of Tel Aviv and Ariel, to offer him a prominent political role. Zarviv was proposed the second position on the party's Knesset list ahead of the upcoming 2026 elections. This move is part of the party's strategy to refresh its lineup by including respected figures from Israel's religious and traditional communities.

Rabbi Zarviv gained widespread recognition during his active reserve military service, where he operated a D9 bulldozer used to demolish terrorist infrastructure in Gaza and Lebanon. His frontline efforts aimed to protect Israeli forces and neutralize immediate threats. Zarviv also became known for sharing viral videos from inside the armored vehicle, combining footage of combat operations with prayers, shofar blasts, and Torah teachings related to the weekly Torah portion. These videos boosted morale both on the home front and among soldiers.

In recognition of his exceptional service and contribution to national morale, Rabbi Zarviv was honored to light a torch at Israel's recent Independence Day ceremony on Mount Herzl. His transition from a combatant and religious judge to a potential Knesset member highlights the Religious Zionism party's intent to blend military valor and religious leadership in its political representation.