The Religious Zionist Party considered reserving Dr. Avishai Ben-Haim for the list for the next Knesset.
According to a report this evening (Tuesday) on 'Kan News', party chairman Bezalel Smotrich is interested in diversifying the list by placing a moderate Mizrahi or religious figure in second place on the list.
The goal of the move is to appeal to national religious audiences who are considering voting for parties in the opposing bloc.
Ben Haim responded by saying that from his perspective, the issue "is not on the agenda.".
The Religious Zionist Party responded: "The list will be diverse and will continue its extensive work in all fields.".
Tonight at midnight, registration for the Religious Zionist Party primaries will close, in which candidates will compete for places on the party's list for the Knesset.
The list will be chosen by nearly 200 members of the party's central committee.
So far, incumbent Knesset members Ohad Tal, Zvi Sukkot, Michal Waldiger, Orit Struck, and Simcha Rothman have submitted their candidacies.
Alongside them, Eitan Tam, a member of the Rosh HaAyin City Council and a member of the party's central committee, also filed nominations; Rabbi Shmuel Sasson, a rabbi of Garin Hadar and a member of the party's central committee; and Zvika Weishengard, deputy mayor of Petah Tikva and a member of the party's central committee.
Kan News also reported that Benny Gantz and Dedi Simchi are in advanced negotiations to unite with Yuli Edelstein and Ayelet Shaked. The two duos have held at least three meetings in the past two weeks, but they have not yet reached the conclusion stage.
The main gap between the parties is the question of party leadership, but there are also disagreements on the party-building mechanism, veto rights and control, and the desired government after the elections.
