Religious Zionism Sets July 26 Date for Party Primaries Ahead of 2026 Elections

The Religious Zionism party, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, announced that its internal primaries to select the candidate list for the 2026 Knesset elections will be held on July 26. This decision follows a party leadership meeting that approved organizational and administrative measures outlining the timeline and eligibility criteria for candidates.

The deadline to submit candidacies is set for midnight on July 21. Voting will take place physically at polling stations, with locations and opening hours to be announced later. Due to some central committee members serving in reserve duty or being abroad, a special exceptions committee will be established to consider alternative arrangements for those wishing to run.

The party's executive committee, excluding current Knesset members who are candidates, will oversee the process as the official election committee. Party CEO Yehuda Wald explained in a letter to central committee members that the early scheduling was influenced by the Knesset's dissolution coinciding with summer holidays and August, aiming to balance timely campaigning with a fair democratic process.