Politics · Other · 11 hrs ago
Young voters boost Israel's far-right parties ahead of election
Young Israelis are turning to far-right parties as the country prepares to vote in an election next week.
More than half a million people will vote for the first time, and polls suggest over 16% plan to back far-right parties.
Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power party is forecast to win eight or more seats on its own, a rise from earlier elections when it relied on a joint list.
Some young supporters say Ben-Gvir’s hard-line positions make them feel safer after the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023, which triggered the Gaza war.
His policies include annexing the occupied West Bank and settling Gaza, and several Western countries have imposed sanctions or travel bans on him and ally Bezalel Smotrich.
Critics say his message deepens divisions, including in mixed Jewish-Arab communities.
The election result remains uncertain: polls show both the governing bloc and the main opposition short of a majority.
Polls suggest far-right Jewish Power leader Itamar Ben-Gvir is gaining support among young Israeli voters ahead of an election due next week.
More than 16% of first-time voters plan to support far-right parties, according to a poll cited by the BBC.
A Hebrew University poll cited by the Straits Times found that as many as a third of Jewish Power supporters will be voting for the first time.
Supporters say Ben-Gvir’s policies offer security and strength, while critics say his message deepens divisions.
The election is Israel’s first since the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023.
- Who
- Itamar Ben-Gvir and young Israeli voters, including first-time voters.
- What
- Polls show growing support for Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power party among young voters ahead of Israel’s election.
- When
- The election is due next week; the Straits Times identifies it as 27 October.
- Where
- Israel.
- Why
- Some young supporters say Ben-Gvir offers security and strength; sources say the 7 October 2023 attacks have influenced some young voters.
Ben-Gvir supporters
Ben-Gvir critics
Security
Ben-Gvir supporters
Supporters say Ben-Gvir gives them a sense of security and will protect Israelis.
Ben-Gvir critics
Critics condemn his positions and rhetoric, including proposals concerning the occupied West Bank, Gaza and Palestinians.
Political message
Ben-Gvir supporters
Supporters say his message expresses strength and Jewish strength.
Ben-Gvir critics
A Ramle stallholder said Ben-Gvir sows discord and that his message preys on young, uneducated people.
Hamas-led attacks on Israel triggered the Gaza war.
A law sponsored by Ben-Gvir making hanging the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of attacks on Israelis passed, according to the Straits Times.
The BBC and Straits Times reported on polls showing Ben-Gvir’s party gaining support among young voters ahead of the election.
Israel’s election is due to take place, according to the Straits Times.
- First-time voters
- More than half a million are expected to vote, according to the BBC.
- Far-right support
- More than 16% of first-time voters plan to back far-right parties, according to a poll cited by the BBC.
- Jewish Power supporters
- As many as a third will be first-time voters, according to a Hebrew University poll cited by the Straits Times.
- Jewish Power seats
- The party is forecast to win eight or more seats, according to the Straits Times.
- Election date
- 27 October 2026, according to the Straits Times.
3 sources
What people are saying
We see the support, we see the love [and] we want to win!
Itamar Ben Gvir gives me a sense of security
Itamar will give us safety, and when we go to the army, someone will have our backs and be behind us
I used to think he was a bit crazy, but then I actually looked at what he was saying, and it all made sense