Smotrich, Feiglin sign on joint run ahead of October elections, call for broad right wing alliance

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionist Party (RZP), and Zehut party leader Moshe Feiglin announced a joint run for the upcoming October elections, signing an agreement on Tuesday evening to form a technical bloc. This alliance aims to consolidate right-wing votes and prevent them from being lost, with Smotrich stating, “We are taking responsibility for the national camp, bringing forces together and ensuring that no right wing vote is lost.” Feiglin is expected to take the second spot on the list, pending further alliances. The move comes as several small right-wing parties struggle to pass the electoral threshold in polls. While they seek to unite fragmented parties, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter, whose new party has polled well, rejected joining, stating citizens “demanding something new, not more of the same.” National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also rejected a joint list with Smotrich, despite Prime Minister Netanyahu's call for such an alliance.