Religious Zionist Party

Israel Election 2026: What does Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionist Party stand for?

"If I put this ballot in the box, what government, policies, and political reality am I helping create?"

(L-R) Religious Zionist Party (RZP) MK Simcha Rothman and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich shake hands at the RZP primaries ahead of the 2026 Israeli  election, in Jerusalem, July 26, 2026
The minister of national security Itamar Ben-Gvir

Eight ministers, lawmakers wanted to leave Netanyahu's Likud for Otzma Yehudit, Ben-Gvir reveals

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks with 'Jerusalem Post' Editor in Chief Zvika Klein, August 12, 2026.

The secret Smotrich kept from his wife: Israel was going to war with Iran - interview

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich

WATCH: 'I know how to act responsibly': Smotrich outlines election strategy, plan to draft haredim


Smotrich to return to Knesset, while remaining finance minister

The move’s purpose is to push Otzma Yehudit MK Yizhak Kroyzer out of the Knesset.

 Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Smotrich passed the state budget, and all it cost was his party - poll

The Religious Zionist Party, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, fell below the electoral threshold with just 2.6% support.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks in the Knesset plenum, in Jerusalem, March 25, 2025

Constitution Committee begins voting on judicial selection committee bill

The voting is scheduled to resume on Monday.

 THE KNESSET will return to session next week amid the temporary freeze in the judicial reform legislation.

'If phase two happens, we will leave the government,' Religious Zionism leader says

Religious Zionism party threatens to leave the government if phase two of the hostage deal proceeds, as leader MK Moshe Solomon says war must resume within 42 days to maintain coalition stability.

 Israelis gather in Tel Aviv for the release of Gaza hostages on November 25, 2023

Large Israeli majority supports completing hostage deal, 20% prefer returning to war - poll

The survey, conducted late last week and early this week, was released ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, DC.

Poll results on the Israeli publics opinion on completion of the hostage deal.

Smotrich pulls resignation letter as coalition negotiations deal to obviate his return to Knesset

However, if the minister resigns his position in government, he returns to the Knesset, and pushes out the last MK on the list.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends Israel Hayom's security conference in Jerusalem, December 1, 2024

Smotrich: Hostage deal was ‘unavoidable’, exit would have led to election

“I have a national responsibility for victory and security, and I am ready to pay the price," the Finance Minister wrote.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends Israel Hayom's security conference in Jerusalem, December 1, 2024

Government approves the hostage deal after seven hours of deliberation

Ministers from the Religious Zionists Party and Otzma Yehudit, as well as Likud Ministers David Amsalem and Amichai Chikli, voted against the deal.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu give a speech ahead of a cabinet meeting on December 3, 2024

Israel's Religious Zionists open to another hostage deal, Orit Strock says

The ceasefire in Lebanon and Hezbollah's distancing itself from Hamas leaves the terror group more isolated, Strock affirmed.

 Orit Strock, National Mission Minister attends a swearing in ceremony for newly appointed judges at the President's residence in Jerusalem, on June 23, 2024.

Former PM Naftali Bennett quashes rumors of party with Eyal Waldman as No.2

Waldman denied the two were connected saying the picture was from a charity event in Monaco for Jewish organizations in Europe.

 Alternate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett arrives to testify at the commission of inquiry into Nahal Tzafit disaster in Tel Aviv, August 1, 2022