Rabbi Avraham Zarviv Declines Reserved Knesset Spot Offered by Bezalel Smotrich

Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism party, sought to include Rabbi Avraham Zarviv, the D9 bulldozer operator who lit a torch at Israel's Independence Day ceremony, on his party's Knesset list in a reserved slot. Zarviv declined the offer, according to journalist Amit Segal. Discussions reportedly included a potential ministerial role, but Zarviv chose not to enter politics, expressing a desire to remain connected to all of Israel rather than a specific political faction.

Smotrich currently holds two reserved slots on his party list. One is expected to be allocated to Tzvika Mor, while the second spot remains unfilled amid efforts to diversify the list following the party’s internal primaries. The finalized list places Smotrich at the top, followed by Minister Orit Strook, Constitution Committee Chair Simcha Rothman, and MK Tzvi Sukkot. Other candidates include Ohad Tal (5th), Omer Rahamim (6th), Michal Waldiger (7th), Shmuel Sasson (8th), Tzvika Vishingrad (9th), Itam Tam (10th), and Natan Zauberman (11th).