Religious Zionism Faces Identity Challenges Beyond Settler Label in Upcoming Elections

The Religious Zionism party recently faced criticism for its candidate list, predominantly composed of settlers from the West Bank, including figures like Orit Strook from Hebron and Tzvika Mor from Kiryat Arba. While this fact is accurate, the party argues that defining it solely as a settler faction overlooks the broader scope of its members' contributions and national roles.

Key party figures have been involved in significant national issues beyond settlement advocacy. For instance, Orit Strook was active on core political-security matters during the recent war, and Smotrich led a major judicial reform affecting the entire country, not just settlement communities. Other members, such as Tzvika Mor and Michal Waldiger, have worked on public campaigns and mental health initiatives that cross sectoral lines.

Despite these broader roles, the party struggles with an identity problem in the context of Israel's identity politics. Many Religious Zionism supporters from central Israeli cities like Givat Shmuel and Ra'anana find it difficult to identify with a list perceived as homogeneous and heavily settler-based. The party’s attempt to diversify, including adding newcomer Omer Rahamim from Samaria, has not fully addressed this issue.

In response, party leader Bezalel Smotrich is actively courting Alon Davidi, the mayor of Sderot, a city symbolically significant due to its frontline status in recent conflicts. Davidi's inclusion could bring ethnic and geographic diversity to the list, appealing to a wider base. However, securing his candidacy may require significant compromises.

The core challenge for Religious Zionism is not just electoral but emotional and cultural: voters often seek representation that reflects their identity as much as their political views. This dynamic poses a real problem for the party in the upcoming elections, as it tries to balance its settler roots with a broader national appeal.