Religious Zionism MK Ohad Tal leaves Knesset after 2026 vote

With the final count of the 2026 election ballots complete and the seat distribution confirmed, outgoing members of Knesset began closing the chapter on their terms in office. MK Ohad Tal, who served as chairman of the Religious Zionism faction in the 25th Knesset, published a farewell message Sunday summarizing four years of parliamentary work.

Tal's announcement comes after he was placed 12th on the joint Religious Zionism–Zehut list headed by Bezalel Smotrich and Moshe Feiglin, a slot that did not make it into the 26th Knesset after the faction won only six seats.

In the post, the outgoing MK opened with a line from Pirkei Avos: "It is not upon you to finish the work, nor are you free to desist from it."

Tal summarized his parliamentary path and thanked the public and those close to him: "Four years in which I had the privilege to serve you in the Knesset of Israel. In the economy, in security, in settlement, in the political arena and in strengthening the Jewish identity of the State of Israel, we were privileged, baruch Hashem, to lead significant initiatives and bring real results."

He added thanks to his partners in the journey: "Thank you to my dear staff, without whom I am essentially nothing. Thank you to my beloved family, who gave me the backing and strength for all of this. And thank you to everyone who was a partner in this journey, for the trust, the support and the strength to continue forward."

Tal closed his farewell with a hint that his public work will continue outside the Knesset walls: "The mission does not end, it only changes form and place."