Religious Zionist Party chairman Bezalel Smotrich and Zehut leader Moshe Feiglin announced Tuesday evening that their parties will contest the upcoming Israeli elections together, forming a technical bloc aimed at consolidating support across the political right.
As part of the agreement, Feiglin and his Zehut party will receive the second, eighth, 10th and 11th positions on the combined electoral slate. Smotrich and Feiglin also intend to pursue an agreement with Ofer Winter’s party in hopes of expanding the alliance further.
“The alliance between the Religious Zionist Party and Zehut is the first step toward uniting forces in the national camp,” the parties said. “The agreement leaves the door open to additional parties, political forces and individuals from the right. The goal is to build the broadest possible right-wing bloc, unite the fragmented parties in the national camp and ensure that right-wing votes translate into political power capable of forming a strong right-wing government.”
Smotrich described the approaching election as “critical” for both Israel and the national camp. He pointed to a series of major issues that he said will be determined by the next government, including national security, the future of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, the judicial system, efforts to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state and other sweeping changes he believes Israel requires.
“At a moment like this, we must take responsibility – not only for our own party, but for the entire camp,” he said. “Our responsibility is to unite forces, broaden the camp and prevent right-wing votes from being lost. I am glad that Moshe answered the call and decided to set out on this path with us.”
Smotrich acknowledged that the two political movements do not agree on every issue and stressed that neither side intends to abandon its individual political identity as a result of the partnership.
“There are differences between us, and we are not seeking to hide them,” Smotrich added. “Each of us will maintain his own identity and path, but we both understand that the overriding task is victory for the national camp. This is the first alliance, not the last. We call on all parties and forces that see the right as their political home: Join us.”
Feiglin said the decision to unite with Smotrich was driven by the political realities facing the right and by a desire to ensure that votes for Zehut are translated into representation in the Knesset.
“We set out with Zehut because we understood that Israel needs a new spirit, hope, faith in the justice of our cause, and a vision of freedom and true victory,” he said. “For an entire year, we made clear that the gravity of the hour demands national responsibility and a united effort. We promised our supporters that we would not risk a single vote and that our values would receive strong and influential representation. We have fulfilled that commitment.”
Feiglin urged supporters of the nationalist and faith-based political camps to rally behind the newly created joint slate, saying the agreement provides Zehut voters with a secure political framework heading into the election.
“Tonight, we bring the news so many have been waiting for and embark on a joint effort to maximize the strength of the national and faith-based camp,” Feiglin said. “We have done our part and secured a political home for our supporters. Now the responsibility passes to you, the public. I call on everyone who holds the Land of Israel, the security of the state and human freedom dear: Join us, support us and turn out in large numbers to vote for the joint list.”
The agreement was finalized after Smotrich ended a visit to southern Israel ahead of schedule and returned to the Religious Zionist Party’s headquarters to complete negotiations with Feiglin.
The partnership comes as polling indicates that a combined slate could clear Israel’s electoral threshold. A Midgam survey conducted for Channel 12 News and released Monday projected that a joint Religious Zionist Party-Zehut ticket would secure five Knesset seats.
According to that poll, Yashar! would emerge as the largest party with 24 seats, narrowly ahead of Likud with 23. Beyachad would receive 15 seats, followed by the Democrats with 11, Yisrael Beytenu with nine and United Torah Judaism with eight.
Otzma Yehudit, the Joint List and Shas would each receive seven seats, while the Smotrich-Feiglin alliance would win five and Ra’am would secure four. Ofer Winter’s party, running independently under the scenario tested by the poll, would fall short of the electoral threshold.
{Matzav.com}
