diff --git a/packages/e2e-tests/specs/editor/various/__snapshots__/rtl.test.js.snap b/packages/e2e-tests/specs/editor/various/__snapshots__/rtl.test.js.snap
index a8b94682a45963..19b4e8c305acc2 100644
--- a/packages/e2e-tests/specs/editor/various/__snapshots__/rtl.test.js.snap
+++ b/packages/e2e-tests/specs/editor/various/__snapshots__/rtl.test.js.snap
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@ exports[`RTL should arrow navigate 1`] = `
 
 exports[`RTL should arrow navigate between blocks 1`] = `
 "<!-- wp:paragraph -->
-<p>٠</p>
+<p>٠<br>١</p>
 <!-- /wp:paragraph -->
 
 <!-- wp:paragraph -->
-<p><br>١١٠<br><br>٢</p>
+<p>٠<br>١<br>٢</p>
 <!-- /wp:paragraph -->"
 `;
 
@@ -24,11 +24,7 @@ exports[`RTL should merge backward 1`] = `
 
 exports[`RTL should merge forward 1`] = `
 "<!-- wp:paragraph -->
-<p>٠</p>
-<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
-
-<!-- wp:paragraph -->
-<p></p>
+<p>٠١</p>
 <!-- /wp:paragraph -->"
 `;
 
diff --git a/packages/e2e-tests/specs/editor/various/rtl.test.js b/packages/e2e-tests/specs/editor/various/rtl.test.js
index 831557b9c52234..67f66ee77cc63a 100644
--- a/packages/e2e-tests/specs/editor/various/rtl.test.js
+++ b/packages/e2e-tests/specs/editor/various/rtl.test.js
@@ -15,10 +15,12 @@ const ARABIC_TWO = '٢';
 describe( 'RTL', () => {
 	beforeEach( async () => {
 		await createNewPost();
+		await page.evaluate( () => {
+			document.querySelector( '.is-root-container' ).dir = 'rtl';
+		} );
 	} );
 
 	it( 'should arrow navigate', async () => {
-		await page.evaluate( () => ( document.dir = 'rtl' ) );
 		await page.keyboard.press( 'Enter' );
 
 		// We need at least three characters as arrow navigation *from* the
@@ -36,7 +38,6 @@ describe( 'RTL', () => {
 	} );
 
 	it( 'should split', async () => {
-		await page.evaluate( () => ( document.dir = 'rtl' ) );
 		await page.keyboard.press( 'Enter' );
 
 		await page.keyboard.type( ARABIC_ZERO );
@@ -48,7 +49,6 @@ describe( 'RTL', () => {
 	} );
 
 	it( 'should merge backward', async () => {
-		await page.evaluate( () => ( document.dir = 'rtl' ) );
 		await page.keyboard.press( 'Enter' );
 
 		await page.keyboard.type( ARABIC_ZERO );
@@ -61,7 +61,6 @@ describe( 'RTL', () => {
 	} );
 
 	it( 'should merge forward', async () => {
-		await page.evaluate( () => ( document.dir = 'rtl' ) );
 		await page.keyboard.press( 'Enter' );
 
 		await page.keyboard.type( ARABIC_ZERO );
@@ -75,7 +74,6 @@ describe( 'RTL', () => {
 	} );
 
 	it( 'should arrow navigate between blocks', async () => {
-		await page.evaluate( () => ( document.dir = 'rtl' ) );
 		await page.keyboard.press( 'Enter' );
 
 		await page.keyboard.type( ARABIC_ZERO );
@@ -101,7 +99,6 @@ describe( 'RTL', () => {
 	} );
 
 	it( 'should navigate inline boundaries', async () => {
-		await page.evaluate( () => ( document.dir = 'rtl' ) );
 		await page.keyboard.press( 'Enter' );
 
 		// Wait for rich text editor to load.