Religious Zionism Deputy Mayor Runs in Party Primaries to Boost Local Representation

Tzvika Vishnegrad, deputy mayor of Petah Tikva and a senior figure in the Religious Zionism party, has officially submitted his candidacy for the party's upcoming primaries scheduled for this Sunday. In a message to the party's central committee WhatsApp group, Vishnegrad thanked the 16 committee members who signed his support forms.

Vishnegrad, 57, is married with three children and has a background in the Hesder Yeshiva in Shiloh. He served in the Golani Brigade's 12th Battalion and currently commands the readiness squad of the Petah Tikva police with the rank of inspector. He holds a law degree from Ono Academic College and a master's in public policy from Tel Aviv University. Professionally, he runs a law firm specializing in insolvency and chairs the insolvency committee of the Israel Bar Association. Politically, he is serving his second term on Petah Tikva's city council and as deputy mayor representing Religious Zionism.

Vishnegrad led the party's local election campaign in 2022 and spearheaded the 2023 municipal election alliance with the Jewish Home party. He stated that while the party has a strong team of ministers and Knesset members, it lacks representation from the Gush Dan area with experience in local government. He emphasized that his connections with communities and rabbis in Petah Tikva would help maintain the party's strength in the region.

The Religious Zionism primaries will determine the party's Knesset list, with voting expected mainly in person, although digital voting options are being considered for members unable to attend. No final decision on digital voting has been made yet. Meanwhile, related security concerns were raised by a minister warning of a possible Iranian attack on Israel.