WATCH: RZP will not ally with Ben-Gvir in 2026 elections, Smotrich tells 'Post'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced in a Wednesday interview with The Jerusalem Post that his Religious Zionist Party (RZP) will not seek alliances for the 2026 elections and does not intend to run with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Smotrich believes RZP can succeed independently, stating, "I think that right now the Religious Zionist public can and should run on its own as a big, strong, significant party." While he does not regret their 2022 alliance, which he noted "brought 64 mandates, put me as finance minister, and brought the National Camp the victory," he emphasized his responsible partnership with Netanyahu, contrasting it with Ben-Gvir's resignation during the term. Smotrich also indicated plans to draft Haredim through consent and integrate them into Israeli society, and criticized opposition leaders for their potential policies regarding West Bank settlements and a Palestinian state. He acknowledged that "during the war there were many things that I thought at some point I should have done differently" and highlighted competition as the solution to the rising cost of living.