In a highly unusual move for the political world, MK Yaakov “Ketzaleh” Katz, currently first in the Ichud Leumi (National Union) party, has asked to be moved down to seventh place on the party list.

The change would put him in place 13 or 14 after his party’s anticipated merger with the Habayit Hayehudi (Jewish Home) party.

Sources close to the MK said his move was intended to show his faith in the planned merger to bring wider religious-Zionist support. Polls have shown that a united religious-Zionist party could win up to 15 seats.