Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Ben Gvir says he has no plans to replace Smotrich as head of Religious Zionism
Religious Zionism party chairman Bezalel Smotrich (L) and candidate Itamar Ben Gvir celebrate at the party headquarters in Modi'in on election night, March 23, 2021. (Sraya Diamant/Flash90)
Far-right MK Itamar Ben Gvir tells Army Radio that he does not intent to seek to replace Bezalel Smotrich as the leader of the Religious Zionism party.
Ben Gvir is currently No. 3 on the party list thanks to a merger deal inked ahead of the previous election with Smotrich’s National Union party. However, Ben Gvir’s popularity has skyrocketed among far-right Israelis, particularly ultra-Orthodox ones since his entry into the Knesset.
While he cedes the top seat to Smotrich, Ben Gvir tells Army Radio that they will work together to form a list that better incorporates his extremist Otzma Yehudit party.
Ben Gvir’s entry into the Knesset was ensured by a merger brokered by former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
