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Smotrich Faces Survival Test as Religious Zionism Party Shifts Far-Right

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By יובל קרני

First reported by Srugim · Jul 26, 2026

What happened

Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party has shifted toward an ultra-Orthodox settler agenda, alienating moderate supporters and struggling to pass the electoral threshold. Key moderate figures have exited, while new political players eye the party’s base. Smotrich plans to refresh the candidate list to regain broader appeal ahead of the elections.

01Religious Zionism party’s internal vote favored a hardline ultra-Orthodox settler list under Smotrich.
02Moderate Religious Zionist leaders withdrew, citing the party’s rightward shift.
03Smotrich’s party struggles near the electoral threshold despite increased post-October 7 engagement.
04Ofir Winter plans a new party uniting religious and secular Israelis, contrasting Smotrich’s sectarian list.
05Smotrich seeks to add candidates like Tzvika Mor to broaden the party’s appeal.
06The party’s future hinges on whether it can regain support beyond its current narrow base.

Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.

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