Religious Zionism Holds Primaries to Select Knesset List Led by Finance Minister Smotrich

On Sunday, the Religious Zionism party conducted primaries in which 173 central committee delegates voted to choose the party's Knesset list, reaffirming Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as its leader. Voting took place physically at two locations: the party headquarters in Shoham in the morning and the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem in the afternoon. The delegates selected from a list of 10 candidates, including Settlement Minister Ayelet Shaked, Constitution Committee Chair Simcha Rothman, MK Michal Waldiger, MK Ohad Tal, MK Tzvi Sukkot, and Omer Rahamim, CEO of the Yesha Council and former senior advisor to Smotrich. Polls predict the party will secure five seats in the upcoming elections.

These primaries followed recent political struggles led by Smotrich against ministers and MKs, including former Immigration and Absorption Minister Ofir Sofer's announcement to retire from politics and form a new faction. Sofer emphasized the need for unity and resilience in protecting Israel's security and expressed his commitment to continue contributing to Israeli society in other ways. Smotrich publicly respected Sofer's decision, highlighting their shared political work for the Jewish people and the Land of Israel.

Two months prior, Smotrich announced his reserved spot on the list of Tzvika Mor, chairman of the Tikva Forum and father of Itamar, who was kidnapped on October 7 from a Nova party and later returned to Israel after two years in captivity. The primaries mark a crucial step for the Religious Zionism party as it prepares for the upcoming Knesset elections amid internal and external political challenges.