Religious Zionism Courts Rabbi Zarbiv for Knesset Slate

Kikar reported at 08:12 IDT that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich met in recent days with dayan Rabbi Avraham Zarbiv and offered him a Religious Zionism list slot, likely second place. Earlier reports by Srugim, Olam Katan and Emess 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.