Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right national security minister, has gained significant support among younger voters as the country prepares for a national election on October 27. Known for his hardline nationalist stance, Ben-Gvir recently addressed a crowd in Tel Aviv, a city traditionally seen as more liberal, where he promoted policies including the reintroduction of the death penalty and the expansion of armed gun licenses exclusively to Israeli Jews.
Ben-Gvir, who wears a white kippah and a crimson tie reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has publicly celebrated his controversial measures, such as imposing harsh conditions on Palestinian prisoners and advocating for the expulsion of Palestinians from the West Bank. He also expressed support for the Hilltop Youth, a settler group known for its radical actions, and voiced ambitions to extend Israeli control over Gaza.
Tensions in the West Bank have escalated in recent days, as Israeli settlers reportedly attacked a convoy of European diplomats visiting the village of Taybeh during the Palestinian olive harvest. Witnesses and diplomats reported that settlers obstructed the diplomats’ visit, verbally harassed them, and assaulted a 78-year-old French mayor. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the violence but also criticized the European consulates for not coordinating their visit with Israeli military authorities. Israeli police have opened an investigation into the incident.
The upcoming election is the first since the October 7 Hamas attacks, which killed more than 1,200 Israelis. The attacks have led to a prolonged military campaign by Israel in Gaza, with Palestinian health officials reporting over 74,000 Palestinian deaths, alongside casualties in Lebanon and Syria. The ongoing conflict has shifted Israeli politics further to the right, with mainstream support growing for policies once considered fringe, such as annexing the West Bank and maintaining a long-term military presence in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is campaigning for an unprecedented seventh term, leads a right-wing coalition that includes Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power party. Netanyahu enjoys strong backing in polls, with 46% of Israelis considering him the most suitable prime minister, compared with 29% for his main opponent, former general Gadi Eisenkot. Eisenkot, however, largely echoes Netanyahu’s positions on settlements and security, while only a handful of candidates, including left-wing Yair Golan, advocate for ending the war.
Public opinion reflects growing support for continued military operations. A recent poll by the Jewish People Policy Institute found that 72% of Israeli Jews favor a troop presence inside Gaza, and 55% support a prolonged occupation. Nearly 80% back continued fighting in Lebanon, underscoring the electorate’s readiness for sustained conflict.
Ben-Gvir has cultivated a significant online following, particularly among younger right-wing Israelis, with nearly 200,000 TikTok followers consuming his nationalist messaging. While some Israelis worry that his views can damage the country’s international image, his supporters argue that a firm security stance is essential for Israel’s future. Recent immigrants to Israel, many of whom lean right politically, have helped to reshape the country’s demographic and political landscape, contributing to the rise of hardline figures like Ben-Gvir.
As Israel approaches the election, the choice before voters appears to be not between radically different policies but rather the management of an extended conflict that has deeply shaped Israeli society and politics in 2023.