Religious Zionist Party

Will Israel's Arab parties be banned from the election? The legal fight explained

A fifth of Israel's voters could be left unrepresented weeks before polls open. Sarah Ben-Nun unpacks the committee's votes, the A-G's split stance, and the Supreme Court's next move. Watch now.

Members of the Joint Arab List Ahmad Tibi, Sami Abu Shehadeh and Yousef Jabareen arrive to submit their party’s candidate list to the Central Elections Committee at the Knesset in Jerusalem, September 8, 2026; illustrative.
National Missions Minister Orit Strock seen at a faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 17, 2025

WATCH: Strock says Israel will establish settlements across West Bank Areas A, B as sanctions mount

SAMI ABU Shehadeh speaks during a protest against the war in Gaza in Tel Aviv, in 2023.

The Abu Shehadeh test: Will the court respect Israel’s will, or keep up the charade? - opinion

A PLENUM session at the Knesset.

Haredi parties, Yashar, coalition bloc lose seats in Knesset, as Otzma Yehudit gains one - poll


A new Right? Winter’s People of Israel could secure six seats, at expense of Smotrich's RZP - poll

Although the Religious Zionism Party also received six seats, it would fail to cross the threshold to enter Knesset, according to the Wendesday poll.

Ofer Winter speaks during his party announcement event on August 25, 2026.

Smotrich scolds Sukkot over destroying West Bank monument as RZP members fear 'political suicide'

Smotrich reportedly told Sukkot he should not have acted without proper authorization and authority, and demanded that he not do it again.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (R) and MK Zvi Sukkot (L) attending a conference in the Knesset regarding occupying parts of the Gaza Strip and re-establishing Jewish settlements in the enclave, July 22, 2025; illustrative.

Netanyahu condemns Sukkot as opposition says MK endangered IDF soldiers for TikTok views

Sukkot's behavior is a "disgrace" to public leaders, Eisenkot stated. "He lied and deceived the IDF and its commanders, harmed security and tarnished the entire State of Israel."

MK Zvi Sukkot and several others seen smashing a monument in in Kafr Madama near Nablus, August 25, 2026.

'A small taste': MK Sukkot confirms he destroyed monument in West Bank town while guarded by IDF

The IDF confirmed that it had diverted troops from standard operational duties to guard Sukkot and his aides on what he called a 'memorial tour' in several villages in Areas A and B in the West Bank.

MK Zvi Sukkot and several others seen smashing a monument in in Kafr Madama near Nablus, August 25, 2026.

Netanyahu warns against small right-wing parties, says they could hand election to 'fascist Left'

The prime minister's statement also came as Arab-Israeli activist Yoseph Haddad officially registered a new Right-wing party under the name "Brave Israel" on Monday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu casts his ballot at his party Likud's main polling station during primary elections ahead of Israel's general election in October in Jerusalem on August 17, 2026; illustrative

Likud fears new right-wing parties, alliances could split vote below electoral threshold - analysis

Senior Likud officials have urged Netanyahu to consider reserving a spot for Haddad on the Likud list in order to prevent him from joining Winter and creating another force to Likud's right.

Voters casting ballots in Israel's 25th Knesset election

Israel Election 2026: What does Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionist Party stand for?

"If I put this ballot in the box, what government, policies, and political reality am I helping create?"

(L-R) Religious Zionist Party (RZP) MK Simcha Rothman and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich shake hands at the RZP primaries ahead of the 2026 Israeli  election, in Jerusalem, July 26, 2026

Eight ministers, lawmakers wanted to leave Netanyahu's Likud for Otzma Yehudit, Ben-Gvir reveals

"They see Otzma's polls, they saw how strong we are, and they wanted to join," Ben-Gvir elaborated.

The minister of national security Itamar Ben-Gvir

The secret Smotrich kept from his wife: Israel was going to war with Iran - interview

He voted against the January 2025 hostage deal, his own voters demanded he resign, and Ben-Gvir walked out. Smotrich stayed silent for five months. In an interview with the Post, he explained why.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks with 'Jerusalem Post' Editor in Chief Zvika Klein, August 12, 2026.

WATCH: 'I know how to act responsibly': Smotrich outlines election strategy, plan to draft haredim

“I think that right now the Religious Zionist public can and should run on its own as a big, strong, significant party,” Smotrich told the Post.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich