Smotrich digs heels in, says no to government backed by Ra’am

Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich says he will prevent a right-wing government that relies on the Islamist Ra’am party.

“I hate to be a killjoy, but I have no intention of quitting,” he says after meeting with top religious Zionist rabbis. Smotrich says he will “prevent the collapse of Zionism with the establishment of a government that relies on terror supporters who deny our existence as a Jewish state.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not appear able to form a government without the far-right Religious Zionism and the support of Ra’am.

According to Hebrew media reports, the rabbis present at the meeting bolstered Smotrich’s position opposing a government supported by Ra’am.

Rabbi Haim Druckman, in a video, says: “Our position has not changed — we cannot rely on a government that depends on Ra’am.”