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

The Religious Zionist Party (RZP), led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, is positioning itself as a far-right, religious-nationalist force in Israel's upcoming October election. Founded in 2021, the party prioritizes Jewish identity, the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and asserting Israeli sovereignty over the territory.

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strengthens the identity of the Jewish people

In the previous election, the RZP ran on a joint list with Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit, securing 14 seats, with seven allocated to the RZP. However, Smotrich has declared his intention for the RZP to compete independently this time, expressing confidence in its ability to succeed alone and dismissing Ben-Gvir as a potential partner.

Smotrich has firmly ruled out any possibility of forming a government that includes Arab parties. He has previously stated that such a coalition would be worse than the October 7 Hamas attack, highlighting the party's hardline stance on national security and political alliances.

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fixes to the judicial system

Beyond its core platform, Smotrich has also focused on domestic economic issues. He has faced criticism for state budgets that allocated significant funding to the Haredi sector and has championed a sweeping reform of the dairy industry aimed at lowering prices by dismantling market monopolies. This reform, however, did not pass during the government's term due to coalition opposition.

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committed to Israel's security

The RZP's central mission, as articulated by Smotrich, revolves around security, strengthening Jewish identity, asserting West Bank sovereignty, and enacting judicial reforms. He has emphasized the party's commitment to Israel's security and its opposition to dividing the land or establishing a "terrorist state" within Israel. During his tenure, Smotrich also headed the Settlements Administration, overseeing the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, with plans and funding approved for 34 new settlements in July 2026, bringing the total initiated under his leadership to 103.

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put an end to the disastrous idea of dividing the land, handing over territory, and establishing a terrorist state in the heart of the Land of Israel