Religious Zionist Party

Religious Zionist Party unveils Knesset primary candidates as Bezalel Smotrich leads slate

Candidates running who are currently members of the Knesset include National Missions Minister Orit Strock, along with MKs Michal Woldiger, Ohad Tal, Zvi Sukkot, and Simcha Rothman.

Minister of Finance and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 6, 2026.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi are seen in the Knesset plenum during a vote on the minister's communications reform, in Jerusalem, July 16, 2026

Netanyahu's coalition falls to 48 seats, opposition gets 62 seats after legislative blitz - poll

Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer speaks to individuals at an aliyah event.

Israeli politics is driving out its mensches, and the country will pay the price - comment

Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer speaks during a Memorial Day ceremony commemorating fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror at Kiryat Shaul Military Cemetery in Tel Aviv, April 21, 2026.

Aliyah Minister Ofir Sofer pulls out of 2026 election


Umm el-Fahm schools close in protest of MK Zvi Sukkot visit

Schools across Umm el-Fahm closed as residents protested Sukkot’s inspection, while he alleged terrorist linked figures were entering classrooms.

Knesset Education Committee chair MK Zvi Sukkot visits Umm el-Fahm, June 28, 2026.

Eisenkot files petition demanding Smotrich remove 'manipulative' AI-generated video

Eisenkot’s petition accused Smotrich of attempting to “spread hatred, lies, and mislead voters,” stating that “there is no place for lying, deception, and manipulation in the current election system.

Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yashar party, holds a press conference with the party’s new member Yoram Cohen in Tel Aviv, May 5, 2026.

Edelstein, Shaked approached about party targeting dissatisfied right-wing, modern Orthodox voters

When asked if Israelis could expect to vote for her in the upcoming election, former justice minister Ayelet Shaked told The Jerusalem Post, “You’ll have to wait.”

Ayelet Shaked attends the Tel Aviv conference, at Tel Aviv University on May 7, 2025.

Shas pushes tone-deaf Torah study law while soldiers die in Lebanon, Gaza - comment

Those who see Torah study as essential should acknowledge the unique burden borne by those who leave their lives behind to defend the country, and that yeshiva study is not a comparable sacrifice.

Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish sector has been protesting over the attempts to draft young haredi men into the military.

Knesset approves tax benefits for West Bank settlements amid opposition criticism

The Knesset approved a bill granting tax benefits to West Bank settlements, with Finance Minister Smotrich calling it recognition for residents living under a security threat.

Fiance Minsiter Bezalel Smotrich and members of the Religious Zionist Party as Knesset passes law for West Bank settlements to receive tax benefits.

Knesset passes first reading of controversial bill to split attorney-general's role - explainer

Supporters say the bill restores power to elected officials; critics say it would weaken the state’s central legal gatekeeper.

Attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara at a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting at the Knesset, in the Israeli parliament on September 30, 2025.

Father of released hostage Eitan Mor joins Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party

“Tzvika Mor is an inspiring figure and an essential courageous voice in Israeli public life. A person who more than anything embodies our wonderful Religious Zionist public,” Smotrich said.

Dr. Tzvika Mor (L) and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, May 26, 2026.

Religious Zionist Party crosses threshold, strengthening coalition even as Likud weakens - poll

The poll also examined three scenarios in which Together, Yashar!, and Yisrael Beytenu would run as a single joint list, with the strongest results coming from Eisenkot leading the trio.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich holds a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem, May 19, 2026.

MK Simcha Rothman rushes bill to split A-G position as Knesset dissolution looms - report

On Tuesday, Rabbi Dov Lando, the spiritual leader of the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Degel Hatorah faction, gave a green light to work toward dissolving the Knesset “as soon as possible.”

Justice Minister Yariv Levin, MK Simcha Rothman (Religious Zionist Party), and MK Yulia Malinovsky hold joint press conference in Knesset ahead of upcoming vote on bill to publicly prosecute Oct. 7 terrorists, Sunday May 10, 2026.

Middle Israel: Smotrich’s crushing Knesset defeat exposes the finance minister's limits - opinion

Smotrich is a light-year away from the Israeli consensus. Why does a man who represents but a marginal, detached, and minuscule part of Israeli society sit on its national chest?

EVEN BEZALEL Smotrich’s rivals agree that he is a smart man who studies complex issues quickly and knows how to make decisions. Here, the finance minister leads a faction meeting at the Knesset on Monday.