Religious Zionist Party

Will Israel's Arab parties be banned from the election? The legal fight explained

A fifth of Israel's voters could be left unrepresented weeks before polls open. Sarah Ben-Nun unpacks the committee's votes, the A-G's split stance, and the Supreme Court's next move. Watch now.

Members of the Joint Arab List Ahmad Tibi, Sami Abu Shehadeh and Yousef Jabareen arrive to submit their party’s candidate list to the Central Elections Committee at the Knesset in Jerusalem, September 8, 2026; illustrative.
National Missions Minister Orit Strock seen at a faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 17, 2025

WATCH: Strock says Israel will establish settlements across West Bank Areas A, B as sanctions mount

SAMI ABU Shehadeh speaks during a protest against the war in Gaza in Tel Aviv, in 2023.

The Abu Shehadeh test: Will the court respect Israel’s will, or keep up the charade? - opinion

A PLENUM session at the Knesset.

Haredi parties, Yashar, coalition bloc lose seats in Knesset, as Otzma Yehudit gains one - poll


Netanyahu cancels statement on haredi draft bill as opposition slams legislation

Opposition leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) responded that Netanyahu canceled his statement “because he knows we know the details of the draft-evasion law, and he has no way to defend it.”

Ultra-Orthodox Jews carry a banner in Hebrew that reads, “to prison and not the army,” during a “million man” protest against military conscription, in Jerusalem October 30, 2025.

Ofir Sofer is the first religious Zionist leader to say the king is naked - comment

Sofer, the first religious Zionist leader to publicly draw a red line on the draft bill, is making a choice to protect the "future of the IDF" over his own ministerial career.

Minister of Immigration and Absorption Ofir Sofer holds a press conference at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, December 1, 2025.

Aliyah Minister Sofer vows to vote against haredi draft bill, 'even if Netanyahu fires me'

RZP's Ofir Sofer to oppose draft legislation, defying faction head Bezalel Smotrich • Bismuth brings new haredi draft bill outline to Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee

Aliyah and Integration Minister Minister Ofir Sofer holds a press conference at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, December 1, 2025

MK Zvi Sukkot blocked from entering US due to Sde Teiman riots participation - report

Sukkot, who is under investigation for his involvement in the Sde Teiman riots, was supposed to travel to the US two weeks ago but had to cancel his trip after the visa was denied.

 MK ZVI SUKKOT protests last week at the Sde Teiman military base, against the detention of reserve soldiers suspected of sexually abusing an imprisoned Hamas terrorist. There’s a growing population that believes the law doesn’t apply to them, says the writer.

Lapid to bring Trump's Gaza peace plan to Knesset vote in bid to 'embarrass' Netanyahu

In a statement, Lapid noted that "we support President Trump and strengthen his hand in the efforts to implement the stages of the plan."

Opposition leader and Yesh Atid head MK Yair Lapid speaks before a faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 17, 2025

MK Sukkot submits bill demanding Israel have governance of Cave of the Patriarchs, not Waqf

The bill cites Abraham's biblical purchase of the land as proof of Jewish ownership, and suggests that local municipalities be granted authority over the site. 

MK Zvi Sukkot (RZP) visiting the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron.

Coalition drops to 48 seats in Knesset as Bennett-Eisenkot bloc gains majority - poll

Likud has lost two seats, dropping the party to 24, while former prime minister Naftali Bennett's party gained two, also reaching 24 to tie.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, October 20, 2025

Netanyahu, Smotrich reach agreement on IDF reservist tax benefits bill

As a result of the bill's advancement, the Religious Zionist Party will return to voting with the coalition after nearly one week of halting votes.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich seen at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 7, 2024

Smotrich threatens to halt coalition voting if reservist tax benefits bill not passed

The bill has been undergoing discussion in the Knesset's Finance Committee, but has not yet been brought for its second and third readings.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the Knesset, October 27, 2025.

Smotrich claims Saudi Arabia denies Israeli tradition and heritage, doubling down on Riyadh row

During Monday's press conference, the finance minister hit out against Saudi Arabia once again, as well as Israelis who he said were "insulted" on the Saudis' behalf.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, October 27, 2025