Former Justice Minister Ramon Credits Smotrich with Major Settlement Advances and Predicts 15 Knesset Seats

Former Justice Minister and Labor Party member Haim Ramon praised Religious Zionism Party leader Bezalel Smotrich for his significant achievements regarding settlement policies in Judea and Samaria. In a July 9, 2026 interview on the "Shomer Saf" podcast, Ramon acknowledged that Smotrich had accomplished "amazing things that no one else did" in advancing settlement initiatives.

Ramon also highlighted Smotrich's recent plans to establish three new settlements in the northern Gaza Strip, should a political decision allow it. He noted the lack of broad public debate on this issue, emphasizing that the mere discussion of such plans signals a profound shift in Israeli political and public discourse.

The podcast host, Nissim Sofer, contrasted this with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's earlier election promises to regulate and legalize young settlements, suggesting Bennett's stance had evolved over time. Despite Ramon's ideological differences with Smotrich, coming from a center-left background, he credited Smotrich with effectively advancing his policies in the West Bank and predicted that these accomplishments would translate into at least 15 Knesset seats for Smotrich's party.

Ramon's remarks underscore the growing political strength of Smotrich and the Religious Zionism Party within the right-wing electorate, reflecting a shift in the Israeli political landscape regarding settlement expansion and national priorities.