Legislation10/23/2026

Smotrich's Campaign Tour of Yeshivas Raised Questions About Compliance With the Law

Minister Bezalel Smotrich, together with ten rabbis, conducted an election campaign tour of six hesder yeshivas, where, among others, soldiers in active service study. Legal experts who were consulted believe that these visits and other campaign activities may contravene the prohibition on soldiers participating in election campaigning.

Key facts

•Publication date: October 23, 2026
•Tour participants: Bezalel Smotrich and ten rabbis
•Visits were held at six hesder yeshivas
•Legal basis: the prohibition in the Elections Law on soldiers participating in campaigning
•No court decision or sanctions were specified

What Happened

The Religious Zionism party reported on “Smotrich’s tour of yeshivas,” during which the minister met, in the party’s words, with “thousands of yeshiva students from the sector.” Ten rabbis accompanied him on the tour. The tour included six hesder yeshivas, which combine religious studies with military service.

Which Activities Raised Questions

In addition to Smotrich’s visits, a campaign video featuring the head of a hesder yeshiva in Ramat Gan was published. At another yeshiva of this kind, a telephone campaign headquarters began operating. Because many of the students are in active military service, legal experts identified a possible violation of election campaign rules.

What Is the Legal Issue?

The Elections Law cited in the report prohibits soldiers from participating in election campaigning. Additional questions concern conducting a political campaign at institutions that receive state funding. However, the source presents only the legal experts’ position and the possibility that a violation occurred; it contains no information about formal proceedings, a court decision, or sanctions.

What this means for you

Studying at a hesder yeshiva is not itself described as a violation. The legal risk arises when soldiers in active service are involved in partisan campaigning and when state-funded institutions are used for election activities. The material does not support the conclusion that it has already been officially determined that a violation occurred.

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