Settlements Minister Strock wins 2nd spot after Smotrich in Religious Zionism primary

The Religious Zionism party has solidified its Knesset slate following primary elections, with key figures like Settlements Minister Orit Strock securing prominent positions. Strock, alongside Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, has been instrumental in the government's aggressive settlement expansion agenda in the West Bank, with over 100 new settlements approved during their tenure.

While incumbent lawmakers largely retained their places, newcomer Omer Rahamim, head of the Yesha Council representing West Bank settlements, supplanted Michal Woldiger. Smotrich, who did not participate in Sunday's vote after being reelected last year, retains the power to reserve seats for his chosen candidates, including Tzvika Mor, a co-founder of a group of hostage families opposed to certain release agreements with Hamas.

Recent polls project a weaker performance for the party, potentially falling below the electoral threshold unless it forms a joint campaign with Otzma Yehudit, as it did in 2022. Nevertheless, Smotrich expressed confidence, predicting 10 seats while cautioning against a perceived complacency among the right-wing and national camp, drawing parallels to the lead-up to the Oslo Accords.

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the right and the national camp are in a slumber reminiscent of the 1992 election on the eve of the accursed Oslo Accords