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Smotrich, Feiglin Strike First Right-Wing Alliance Ahead of Israel Vote
(MENAFN) Religious Zionism chief Bezalel Smotrich and Zehut leader Moshe Feiglin agreed Tuesday to run on a joint ticket in Israel's upcoming Knesset election, marking the first formal alliance struck between parties within the country's right-wing bloc.
Smotrich revealed the pact in a post on X: "I am pleased to announce to you that the Religious Zionism Party, under my leadership, and the Identity Party, under the leadership of Moshe Feiglin, have agreed to run together in a technical bloc."
"At this critical moment, responsibility is required of us: to unite forces, to expand the camp, and not to allow any voice on the right to go to waste," he added.
Describing the stakes facing the country, Smotrich said Israel "is at fateful moments. The future of the national camp hangs in the balance - the future of settlement, the judicial system, security, and our ability to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian terror state."
He was careful to note the alliance doesn't erase the two parties' distinct identities: "There are differences between us, and we are not asking to blur them. Each one preserves their identity and their path, but both of us understand that the great mission now is the victory of the national camp."
Smotrich called on other right-wing factions to join the newly formed bloc.
The sitting government, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has held power since December 2022. Netanyahu has faced an International Criminal Court warrant since 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity connected to the Gaza Strip.
According to the newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Smotrich and Feiglin formally signed their technical-bloc agreement Tuesday, describing it as "a first step in a broader move to unite forces on the right" meant "to prevent loss of votes."
Under Israel's electoral system, parties can form technical blocs to jointly clear the vote threshold required for Knesset representation, guarding against wasted ballots while each party retains its own separate identity and structure rather than merging outright.
The election is set for Oct. 27, a vote that comes as polling shows softening support for Netanyahu and his Likud party. A survey released Sunday by public broadcaster KAN projected Netanyahu's bloc would take 52 seats if the vote were held immediately, trailing the 55 seats forecast for the Jewish opposition, with Arab lawmakers projected to win 13.
The alliance follows National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who leads the far-right Jewish Power party, turning down Netanyahu's push for him to join forces with Smotrich's party.
Israeli law requires a governing coalition to command the backing of at least 61 of the Knesset's 120 members.
Smotrich revealed the pact in a post on X: "I am pleased to announce to you that the Religious Zionism Party, under my leadership, and the Identity Party, under the leadership of Moshe Feiglin, have agreed to run together in a technical bloc."
"At this critical moment, responsibility is required of us: to unite forces, to expand the camp, and not to allow any voice on the right to go to waste," he added.
Describing the stakes facing the country, Smotrich said Israel "is at fateful moments. The future of the national camp hangs in the balance - the future of settlement, the judicial system, security, and our ability to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian terror state."
He was careful to note the alliance doesn't erase the two parties' distinct identities: "There are differences between us, and we are not asking to blur them. Each one preserves their identity and their path, but both of us understand that the great mission now is the victory of the national camp."
Smotrich called on other right-wing factions to join the newly formed bloc.
The sitting government, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has held power since December 2022. Netanyahu has faced an International Criminal Court warrant since 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity connected to the Gaza Strip.
According to the newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Smotrich and Feiglin formally signed their technical-bloc agreement Tuesday, describing it as "a first step in a broader move to unite forces on the right" meant "to prevent loss of votes."
Under Israel's electoral system, parties can form technical blocs to jointly clear the vote threshold required for Knesset representation, guarding against wasted ballots while each party retains its own separate identity and structure rather than merging outright.
The election is set for Oct. 27, a vote that comes as polling shows softening support for Netanyahu and his Likud party. A survey released Sunday by public broadcaster KAN projected Netanyahu's bloc would take 52 seats if the vote were held immediately, trailing the 55 seats forecast for the Jewish opposition, with Arab lawmakers projected to win 13.
The alliance follows National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who leads the far-right Jewish Power party, turning down Netanyahu's push for him to join forces with Smotrich's party.
Israeli law requires a governing coalition to command the backing of at least 61 of the Knesset's 120 members.
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