Smotrich at the helm: Who will be elected in the Religious Zionism primaries? The candidates

The Religious Zionism party is holding its internal elections for the party list today (Sunday). Over 170 central committee members will choose ten candidates to form the list for the 26th Knesset.

The voting in the primaries of the list headed by Bezalel Smotrich is taking place physically at polling stations in two locations: in the morning at the party headquarters in the city of Shoham, and in the afternoon at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem, where Smotrich, together with the party's CEO Yehuda Vald, is expected to announce the results around 20:00.

In addition, reservists or those with special permits have the option of secure remote online voting.

The identity of the chairman was determined in advance after Bezalel Smotrich passed two decisions in the party center: no elections for the party leadership and no open elections, restricting the vote to central committee members only.

List of candidates

Competing for spots on the party list are incumbent Knesset members Michal Woldiger, Ohad Tal, Zvi Sukkot, and Simcha Rothman, as well as Minister Orit Strock. In addition, Deputy Mayor of Petah Tikva Zvika Vishengard, CEO of the Yesha Council Omer Rahamim, Deputy Mayor of Rosh HaAyin Tom Eitan, as well as high-tech entrepreneur Nathan Zaubman and Rabbi Shmuel Sasson from Haifa are seeking to secure their place on the list.

MK Simcha Rothman told "HaYom" outside the party headquarters in Shoham:

"I hope that the central committee members of Religious Zionism will make the best decision this evening."

The rift dividing the camp: Haredi conscription

The primaries are taking place following the departures of two party members — Minister Ofir Sofer and MK Moshe Solomon. Minister Sofer announced his resignation over a week ago, citing a gap with party leader Smotrich over the issue of Haredi conscription. MK Solomon previously voted against the Basic Law: Torah Study, which led to his removal from Knesset committees and his subsequent decision not to run in the party elections.

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Conversations held by "HaYom" with central committee members reveal a deep rift dividing the camp. The dividing line is clear between those who define themselves as Haredi-Leumi (National-Haredi) and those who belong to the mainstream of the knitted-kippah public. The issue that ignited the tension is the exemption law and the broader question of Haredi conscription, on which party chairman Smotrich has not presented a clear official line.