Religious Zionism Courts Rabbi Zarbiv for Knesset Slate
Published
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich met in recent days at 08:12 IDT with dayan Rabbi Avraham Zarbiv and offered him a Religious Zionism list slot, likely second place. Earlier reports said the party was testing Zarbiv and Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter as possible high placements to strengthen the slate before the 26th Knesset election. Zarbiv is a Torah scholar, educator, reserve D9 operator in Gaza and Lebanon, and Israel Independence Day torchlighter. The move shows Smotrich trying to honor religious-Zionist service and Torah learning while rebuilding a disciplined right-wing list.
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Sources
Difference in reporting
Sources agree on the broader facts: Religious Zionism is courting Rabbi Avraham Zarbiv, a dayan, Torah educator, reserve D9 operator and Independence Day torchlighter, as a possible high Knesset-slate placement before the 26th Knesset election. They differ on status and placement. Kikar reports the fresh July 3 update that Smotrich recently met Zarbiv and offered a slot, likely second place. Srugim, Olam Katan and Emess report the earlier May stage as an option being examined, with Ofer Winter also considered, possible top-six or top-ten placement and no final party decision.
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