Tzvika Mor, father of former hostage Eitan and a leading member of the Tikvah Forum, is joining Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionist party and will be placed high on the list.
The party noted that "Mor's joining the Religious Zionist Party is intended to strengthen the list with a voice of values and nationalism that grew from the ground up, and expresses more than anything a stand on values and a drive for victory. His inclusion is part of building a quality team of proven national action, which will prevent a return to dangerous concepts that led to the October 7th massacre, and will work for the settlement of Judea and Samaria, the correction of the judicial system and the preservation of the Jewish identity in the country."
The chairman of the party, Minister of Finance Smotrich, issued a statement in which he noted that Zvika is "an inspiring figure and a necessary voice in Israeli public life. A man who more than anyone else expresses the wonderful public of ours in religious Zionism. A true educator and warrior who sees the Jewish people before himself, who acts out of a true sense of mission and is not afraid to pay a personal price for his values and principles."
"He joins us today as a partner in the struggle for the path that the State of Israel must take after the October 7th massacre: defeating our enemies, strengthening settlements and maintaining a real right-wing government out of concern for all Israeli citizens. His joining is a great message for religious Zionism and the entire national camp," he added.
Mor said: "I am joining the Religious Zionist Party today out of a deep sense of mission. In the October 7th massacre, I immediately realized that the State of Israel will never be what it was. The path of capitulation to terror has led us to ongoing disasters, and therefore our commitment to the security of Israel must be absolute. Although my son Eitan has returned home, my responsibility has not ended."
"I join Bezalel Smotrich and the path of religious Zionism, which has stood by me throughout the way, has voiced our determined voice in the cabinet and has not allowed the government to surrender. This is the only party that will implement real right-wing policy, and says clearly that the State of Israel must win. Together, with God's help, we will do and succeed."
In the continuation of the statement, Smotrich spoke with Arutz Sheva - Israel National News regarding the possibility of a joint run with Otza Yehudit as it was in the previous elections. "The parties will continue to be large, significant and central in the national camp and will continue to work together on the security, diplomatic, economic and settlement issues."
Several months ago it was reported that the party approached Mor and offered him a reserved slot among the top six places on the party list. At the time it was reported that Mor expressed willingness to join the party but had not decided whether to enter politics.
After that report the Religious Zionist party responded, "Tzvika Mor is a model figure whom the war revealed to the Israeli public for his courage, strength of spirit, depth of character and human greatness, serving as a source of inspiration on par with the heroes of all generations. There is no doubt that he is worthy of any public office and a place of honor in Israeli leadership. His values are those of the party and there is no doubt he can and should feel at home here. However, the elections are still far off and it is premature to engage in politics and in composing electoral lists."