Shifts on the Right After Religious Zionism Primaries: Winter and Erdan Make Decisions
The results of the primaries in the Religious Zionism party have made it clear to most players on the right that there is a need for another party that can absorb voters who define themselves as national-religious and less national-Haredi; Winter aspires to establish an all-Israeli party.
The results of the primaries in the Religious Zionism party are affecting not only the party itself but also the broader political landscape. As learned by "Hayom", Ofer Winter does not intend to unite with the Religious Zionism party. Winter aspires to establish an "all-Israeli" party that represents diverse cross-sections of the Israeli population.
Other candidates affected by the primary results include Gilad Erdan, who is expected to announce the establishment of a party soon, and MK Dan Illouz. Illouz has been approached by several activists in the national-religious public asking him to examine the possibility of connecting with one of three candidates: Erdan, Edelstein, or Hendel. These reservists make up a bloc seeking a right-wing party, yet they are unwilling to vote for parties that were members of the last coalition, primarily due to their support for the draft exemption law.
In the general atmosphere ahead of the elections, especially following the results in the Religious Zionism party, unofficial contacts and conversations are being held between representatives and a number of candidates. However, for the time being, these feelers are not mature enough to lead to an official closing of candidates or additional names.
