Religious Zionist Party

2026 budget reading puts government at risk, after months of ideological sparring - analysis

If the vote is postponed, or if the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties choose not to support it and it falls, then for all intents and purposes the government will fall with it.

A PLENUM session at the Knesset.
ISRAELI POLITICIAN Bezalel Smotrich is seen before President Donald Trump speaks to the Knesset, on October 13, 2025 in Jerusalem.

Two protesters held outside Religious Zionist Party offices amid budget, cost-of-living tension

A man lights a cigarette with fire from a burning picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as Israelis rally in support of the nationwide protests happening in Iran, in Holon, Israel, January 14, 2026.

Majority of Israelis favor joint US-Israel action against Iran - poll

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett speaks at the annual Cyber Week, at Tel Aviv University, December 9, 2025

Bennett's draft law pitch brings in support as opposition bloc maintains lead over Netanyahu - poll


'Anti-Zionist propaganda': Sukkot pushes Education Ministry to remove Haaretz texts from exams

Sukkot stated that Haaretz has "become a mouthpiece for anti-Zionist propaganda, and in some cases even includes content that encourages the delegitimization of IDF soldiers and the State of Israel.

 Zvi Sukkot attends a Religious Zionist Party meeting at the Knesset, Jerusalem ,January 23, 2023.

Political attacks on Supreme Court chief cross red line, over 100 retired judges, law deans warn

The warnings followed remarks made by Religious Zionist Party chairman and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who referred to Amit as a 'violent, predatory megalomaniac who steals Israeli democracy.'

Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit arrives for a court hearing at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, November 27, 2025

Smotrich: Supreme Court chief is 'violent megalomaniac,' gov’t will 'trample' court

The judicial branch's spokesperson said Smotrich's attack on Yitzhak Amit does not amount to "legitimate public discourse," in response to the finance minister.

Finance Minister and Religious Zionists Party head Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, December 29, 2025

Despite turbulent week, demand for commission of inquiry, bloc map remain stable - poll

Against the backdrop of the draft law, the establishment of a government commission of inquiry, and the interview by Eli Feldstein on the Qatargate affair, coalition parties maintain their strength.

Knesset members attend a plenum hearing, October 29, 2025; illustrative.

Bennett surges to 22 seats as Likud falls, opposition inches toward forming gov't - poll

The Likud would get 25 seats, Religious Zionist party would not cross the threshold, and an opposition coalition would secure 60 seats, putting it on the brink of forming a government.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ministers at a 40 signatures debate, at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on December 8, 2025.

Israel grants legal status to 19 West Bank settlements, including two vacated in 2005 disengagement

The move follows government approval on Wednesday for the construction of 764 housing units across three settlements in the West Bank.

An Israeli flag flutters, with Ma'aleh Adumim is visible in the background, in the West Bank, August 14, 2025.

Likud returns to support levels from before October 7, RZP fails to pass threshold, poll finds

Religious Zionist Party, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, slid under the threshold with 2.8% support, as public divisions over the IDF draft framework and the state budget grew. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a 40 signatures debate, at the plenum hall of the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on December 8, 2025

Religious Zionist Party crosses threshold with four seats as coalition bloc climbs to 53 - poll

The poll shows the coalition bloc rising to 53 seats, up four from the previous survey, driven by Religious Zionism’s gains. The opposition bloc gained 57 seats.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich seen after a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem on December 4, 2025.

Netanyahu cancels statement on haredi draft bill as opposition slams legislation

Opposition leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) responded that Netanyahu canceled his statement “because he knows we know the details of the draft-evasion law, and he has no way to defend it.”

Ultra-Orthodox Jews carry a banner in Hebrew that reads, “to prison and not the army,” during a “million man” protest against military conscription, in Jerusalem October 30, 2025.

Ofir Sofer is the first religious Zionist leader to say the king is naked - comment

Sofer, the first religious Zionist leader to publicly draw a red line on the draft bill, is making a choice to protect the "future of the IDF" over his own ministerial career.

Minister of Immigration and Absorption Ofir Sofer holds a press conference at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, December 1, 2025.