A sigh of relief in the right-wing camp: The Jewish Home and National Union parties signed an agreement this evening (Thursday) to run together in the elections for the 21st Knesset.
The agreement between the two sides was reached after more than five hours of a meeting attended by Rabbi Peretz, who took office as chairman of the Jewish Home about two weeks ago, and National Union chairman MK Bezalel Smotrich. Along with them, senior religious Zionist rabbis - Rabbi Chaim Druckman and Rabbi Zalman Melamed - also participated in the meeting.
The list will consist of members of the two factions alternately: Jewish Home will receive the odd numbers and National Union the even numbers.
The joint list will include the following individuals in the following order: Rabbi Rafi Peretz, Bezalel Smotrich, Ofir Sofer, Moti Yogev, Orit Struck, Yifat Erlich, Yossi Cohen, Rabbi Eli Ben Dahan.
According to the agreement, the National Union Party will be entitled to first choose the position that will be given to it as part of entering the coalition.
If one ministerial position is given, there will be a rotation between Rabbi Peretz and Smotrich. In parallel with the rotation in the position of the sole minister, and if there is an odd number of MKs serving in the Knesset, there will be a rotation in the odd MK.
Rabbi Rafi Peretz, chairman of the Jewish Home Party, said after the signing, "Religious Zionism has won. The Jewish Home Party is marching forward tonight in unity. I am happy and proud to lead the party forward. Together we will lead religious Zionism to a great, strong and influential home in Israeli public life.".
The Likud issued a statement in response to the joint run of the Jewish Home and the National Union: "We welcome the agreement between the Jewish Home and the National Union and call on them to unite with other forces to ensure the victory of the right-wing bloc in the elections.".
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