The Religious Zionist Party announced Wednesday morning that it has signed a final coalition agreement with the Likud.
The deal was signed a day before Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to present his coalition to the Knesset, with the incoming government being sworn-in shortly thereafter.
The one-MK Noam faction also signed a final coalition deal with the Likud Wednesday.
Both parties had already signed preliminary coalition deals with the Likud, delineating the ministerial and Knesset leadership positions the parties will receive.
Under the agreement, Religious Zionist Party chief Bezalel Smotrich will initially serve as Finance Minister, before switching to the Interior Ministry in 2025. He will also serve as Minister in the Defense Ministry, with authority over the Civil Administration, the Defense Ministry department which governs Area C of Judea and Samaria - including all Israeli communities in the area.
The RZP will also receive the Immigration and Absorption Ministry and National Projects Ministry portfolio, and control over multiple Knesset committees.
Under the final agreement signed between the Likud and the RZP, the new government will expand its support for state religious schools, including adding 100 million shekels in annual funding for ulpanot (state religious girls schools) and yeshiva high schools.
Wages for young men and women serving in civilian National Service programs will be raised to 90% the wages of IDF soldiers in administrative positions.
Furthermore, the Likud has committed to major judicial reforms pushed by the RZP, as well as changes to the system for appointing chief rabbis, and a new Kashrut reform bill.
The coalition deal also contains a clause endorsing modifications to the 1970 amendment to the Law of Return, which extends the right to non-Jewish spouses and grandchildren of Jews.
Provisions for reforming the state conversion system, upgrading and protecting Jewish heritage cites throughout the country – including in Judea and Samaria – and the passage of protections for religious rights to anti-discrimination laws were also included in the final coalition deal.
In addition, the new government will expand development of Jewish towns in Judea and Samaria, with a specific clause referencing the Jewish community in Hebron, along with development for towns in northern Israel, and aid to mixed cities.