Religious Zionist Party chairman Bezalel Smotrich and Zehut chairman Moshe Feiglin announced Tuesday evening that they will run together as a technical bloc in the upcoming elections.
Under the agreement, Feiglin will take the second, eighth, 10th and 11th spots on the joint list. The parties will also seek to bring Ofer Winter’s party into the alliance.
“The alliance between the Religious Zionist Party and Zehut is the first step toward uniting forces in the national camp," the parties said. “The agreement leaves the door open to additional parties, political forces and individuals from the right. The goal is to build the broadest possible right-wing bloc, unite the fragmented parties in the national camp and ensure that right-wing votes translate into political power capable of forming a strong right-wing government."
Smotrich said the upcoming election is “critical" to the future of the national camp and Israel, citing security, Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, the judicial system, preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state and advancing major changes Israel needs.
“At a moment like this, we must take responsibility - not only for our own party, but for the entire camp," he said. “Our responsibility is to unite forces, broaden the camp and prevent right-wing votes from being lost. I am glad that Moshe answered the call and decided to set out on this path with us."
“There are differences between us, and we are not seeking to hide them," Smotrich added. “Each of us will maintain his own identity and path, but we both understand that the overriding task is victory for the national camp. This is the first alliance, not the last. We call on all parties and forces that see the right as their political home: Join us."
Feiglin said the alliance was necessary given the current political circumstances.
“We set out with Zehut because we understood that Israel needs a new spirit, hope, faith in the justice of our cause, and a vision of freedom and true victory," he said. “For an entire year, we made clear that the gravity of the hour demands national responsibility and a united effort. We promised our supporters that we would not risk a single vote and that our values would receive strong and influential representation. We have fulfilled that commitment."
“Tonight, we bring the news so many have been waiting for and embark on a joint effort to maximize the strength of the national and faith-based camp," Feiglin said. “We have done our part and secured a political home for our supporters. Now the responsibility passes to you, the public. I call on everyone who holds the Land of Israel, the security of the state and human freedom dear: Join us, support us and turn out in large numbers to vote for the joint list."
Earlier, Smotrich cut short a tour of southern Israel to finalize the agreement with Feiglin at the Religious Zionist Party headquarters.
A Midgam poll for Channel 12 News published Monday found that a joint Religious Zionist Party-Zehut slate would currently win five seats.
Under that scenario, Yashar! would receive 24 seats, Likud 23, Beyachad 15, the Democrats 11, Yisrael Beytenu 9, United Torah Judaism 8, Otzma Yehudit 7, the Joint List 7, Shas 7, Smotrich and Feiglin 5, and Ra’am 4. Ofer Winter’s party would fail to cross the electoral threshold.