After calling Smotrich a traitor: Shvut Raanan requested a reserved spot – and was refused

Shvut Raanan, a co-founder of the Reservists' Wives Forum, spent months attacking Bezalel Smotrich and accusing him of betraying religious Zionist values. Behind the scenes, she approached him requesting a reserved spot on the Religious Zionism party list for the Knesset, signaling a willingness to forgive. Her request was denied, and the party responded that it had chosen the most loyal candidates for the national camp.

Shvut Raanan, a co-founder of the Reservists' Wives Forum and one of the most prominent voices against Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich, attempted to secure a reserved spot on his Knesset list. During the negotiations, Raanan conveyed a surprising message that she was "willing to forgive everything that happened." The move was blocked, Raanan remained off the list, and the party hinted at doubts about her loyalty to the camp. The quiet approach stood in stark contrast to her aggressive public stance against him. In a February interview, she admitted that Religious Zionism was her "natural home," but claimed Smotrich was "betraying the values of Religious Zionism." The core dispute was the conscription law: Raanan demanded an end to the Haredi exemption. In July, she escalated her rhetoric, claiming Smotrich had turned his back on soldiers. Alongside the criticism, Raanan sought a political home. She first joined a move by Yoaz Hendel, and her name was mentioned in exploratory talks for establishing a "national camp" alongside Yuli Edelstein and Ayelet Shaked. Ultimately, the search led her to Smotrich's door. The negotiations failed. The party responded: "After review, the most worthy and loyal candidates for the national camp were chosen." Shvut Raanan stated: "Throughout, I wanted to influence the Religious Zionism party to return to representing the entire public."