Ongoing negotiations between Religious Zionist Party leader Bezalel Smotrich and Zehut chairman Moshe Feiglin for a technical bloc or joint list represent the central driver, with Feiglin potentially securing the second slot to bolster both parties' prospects of clearing the electoral threshold. Recent polls showing RZP near or below that threshold, combined with Ofer Winter’s new party drawing similar voters and Otzma Yehudit’s refusal to merge, have heightened incentives for smaller right-wing factions to consolidate. Netanyahu has signaled support for such arrangements to preserve bloc strength ahead of the October 27 vote. The absence of a finalized agreement, historical caution around alliances, and competing right-wing options sustain the close balance, where confirmation of a deal could shift consensus toward a joint run while stalled talks or independent candidacies would favor separate lists.