National Union chairman refused Netanyahu's proposal to promote union in right-wing parties • Proposal made during a meeting on the taxi drivers crisis • "able to manage ourselves"

• Bezalel Smutrich, Rafi Peretz // Photo: Oren Ben Hakon

Non-progressive: National Union Minister for Transport Bezalel Smutrich rejected Tuesday's proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to mediate between him and Jewish Home Minister Rafi Peretz to unite right-wing parties.

Smutrich met with Netanyahu today to discuss the crisis of taxi drivers. At the end of the conversation, Netanyahu offered a meeting with his participation with Rabbi Haim Druckman Peretz and Smutrich, but the National Union chairman rejected the proposal instead.

The Jewish House and Jewish power agreed on a joint run in the elections

In response to the proposal, Smutrich replied to the Prime Minister that he and Rabbi Peretz are capable of getting on their own. In the Smutrich area, they added that Netanyahu should not interfere in religious Zionism.

It should be noted that between Rabbi Peretz and Smutrich there are also differences in attitude regarding the prime minister. Rabbi Peretz is a clear supporter of Netanyahu and the two are cooperating with piety. Netanyahu and Smutrich, on the other hand, have a number of issues.

Religious Zionism is trying to find the ideal composition in the run-up to the elections, after both the April 2019 and September 2019 elections, many votes in the sector were lost following voting for parties that did not pass the blockade, even though in April elections, the lists wanted a more liberal composition led by the defense minister And Ayelet Shaked, and another party led by Peretz and Smutrich, and in September 2019 in a joint four-person party.

If there is no unification between the parties, as it appears at present, the right-wing parties may run again on two main lists, this time together with Peretz, Jewish Power Chairman Itamar Ben Gvir will run, and Smutrich will be reunited with Bennett and Shaked. Former Identity Leader Moshe Feiglin, but if one of the parties does not pass the blockade, it will make it difficult for the right to form a government in the Knesset - and thus Netanyahu is trying to create a unification between the parties.

Smutrich responded to the news, saying he "deeply respects the prime minister. Works closely with him on a daily basis in the affairs of the Ministry of Transport and the Cabinet, and appreciates his goodwill to help. But the political moves within religious Zionism are our own responsibility."