Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is intensifying his election campaign with controversial tactics, including distributing gun-shaped keychains to students and releasing a video threatening a Palestinian inmate. His policy proposals advocate for encouraging Palestinians to leave the West Bank and Gaza, and implementing the death penalty for those convicted of attacks against Israelis.
With crucial elections approaching, Ben Gvir, once relegated to the fringes of Israeli politics, is demonstrating significant influence. Polls suggest his party, Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power), could secure eight to nine seats in the 120-member parliament, a notable increase from the six seats it won in 2022 as part of a joint list. Ben Gvir, who has a history of convictions for charges including supporting a terror organization and incitement to racism, has become a prominent figurehead for the far-right, whose political standing has grown considerably since joining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition four years ago.
Supporters, like 23-year-old Or Nahman, express strong approval of Ben Gvir's direct approach. "In short, he speaks straight. We really love him," Nahman stated at Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda market. He added, "We want to fight and vote for a person like this, who serves our ideology and the things we believe in, whether it's the Jewish character of the country, the victory of Israel, strong economic security, whether it's a country where everyone can walk here freely in their land without any fear of anyone."
As National Security Minister, Ben Gvir has overseen a significant increase in firearm permits for Israelis, with over 200,000 new licenses issued. He frequently highlights the deteriorating conditions for Palestinian detainees and has used his ministerial position to advocate for more assertive government stances in ongoing conflicts. He notably sports a hangman's noose pin, having championed a death penalty law specifically targeting Palestinians, and celebrated its parliamentary approval with a cake adorned with a similar motif.
The upcoming election is anticipated to be closely contested, particularly among the over half a million young Israelis voting for the first time, many of whom identify with center-right or right-wing ideologies. Recent polls indicate that a significant percentage of these first-time voters are considering supporting far-right parties like Otzma Yehudit or Religious Zionism. Ben Gvir's campaign activities, such as distributing gun-shaped keychains at a high school event, have drawn attention, as has his outreach to areas outside his traditional base, including secular Tel Aviv.
Despite his growing popularity, Ben Gvir's provocative actions have also faced criticism. He recently removed an AI-generated video that depicted Palestinians being transferred to an Israeli prison. The elections committee previously fined him for electoral propaganda related to a video showing him confronting a Hamas official in prison. Another AI-generated video, depicting a Palestinian man wishing to move to Paris, was rebuked by the French government, which noted Ben Gvir's ban from France. Some voters, while acknowledging his effectiveness, express concerns about his methods. "He's too violent," commented Shlomo, a voter considering a different candidate. Another voter, Michael, stated, "I believe he's not a stupid man but the fact is he says stupid things to get votes. It's very effective but it does a lot of damage to Israel's economy and diplomacy."
