The shifting alliances of Israel’s Religious Zionist Party
In short: From its 1998 origins as Tkuma to its current iteration, this party has mastered the art of the political merger. Through decades of splits, coalitions, and rebrandings, it has navigated the complex landscape of Israeli right-wing politics to remain a persistent force.
Founded in 1998 by Hanan Porat and Zvi Hendel, the party—originally known as Tkuma—emerged following a split from the National Religious Party triggered by the Wye River Memorandum. Since its inception, the party has rarely run in isolation, instead frequently joining larger right-wing blocs such as the National Union and the Jewish Home.
The party's history is defined by intense ideological volatility. In 2002, members left Ariel Sharon's government due to disagreements over the Second Intifada, and later exited his coalition over the Gaza Strip withdrawal. This period saw figures like Zvi Hendel, a resident of the Ganei Tal settlement, at the forefront of the opposition to territorial concessions.
Under the leadership of Bezalel Smotrich, who took control in 2019, the party underwent significant transformations. It was part of the Yamina alliance before officially rebranding as the Religious Zionist Party in January 2021. While the party's platform includes advocating for increased Torah study and opposing same-sex marriage, it has also faced intense criticism. Journalists and academic journals have characterized its platform as including the annexation of West Bank settlements and the expulsion of asylum-seekers, with some assessments labeling the party as ultra-nationalist.
The party's parliamentary strength has fluctuated through various electoral cycles. In the 2021 elections, its alliance won six seats, later increasing to seven after the merger of MK Ofir Sofer. By the 2022 elections, its broader alliance secured 14 seats, though the constituent parties eventually split into three separate factions within the Knesset.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Religious Zionist Party
- Also: Wikidata — Religious Zionist Party · CC0
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