Religious Judge Rabbi Zarviv Declines to Join Religious Zionism Party Led by Smotrich

About a month after Religious Zionism party leader and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich met with Rabbi Avraham Zarviv to offer him a spot on the party list, Rabbi Zarviv has declined the offer. According to reports, the rabbi refused the proposal, which also included a potential ministerial role, citing his desire to remain affiliated with all of the Jewish people rather than a specific political faction.

Rabbi Zarviv gained public attention during the recent war as a reserve D9 bulldozer operator involved in extensive operations to destroy terror infrastructure in Gaza and southern Lebanon. He was also honored last Independence Day by being selected to light a torch at the official ceremony on Mount Herzl, an event that sparked international reactions. As a dayan (rabbinical judge), Zarviv developed an innovative combat method for demolishing buildings, known as the "Zarviv Method," credited with saving many soldiers' lives.

Following his torch lighting, Zarviv faced complaints from left-wing groups attempting to disqualify him from his rabbinical judicial position, but these were dismissed by the public complaints commissioner for judges and dayanim. This recruitment attempt fits into a broader strategy by Smotrich to bring prominent figures from the wartime period into his party. Two months ago, the party announced the addition of Dr. Tzvika Mor, a leading figure in the Tikva Forum and father of captive survivor Eitan Mor, who is also expected to take a high position on the list. Mor has been a vocal opponent of partial prisoner exchange deals, advocating for a comprehensive deal to release all captives at once while maintaining military pressure on Hamas.