Far right gains traction with young voters before Israeli election

RAMLE, Israel — Israel's far right is finding support among young voters ahead of next week's general election, according to a BBC Turkish report published on 20 October. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was seen campaigning in the mixed Jewish and Arab city of Ramle, where he was surrounded by young supporters waving large party flags.

More than 500,000 new voters are expected to take part in the election. Many Israelis see the vote as crucial for the country's future security and identity. Polls show a tight race.

A Yedioth Ahronoth poll, according to the BBC, found that more than 16 percent of respondents planned to back far-right parties. These could include Ben-Gvir's Jewish Power or the Religious Zionism party of his ally Bezalel Smotrich. A separate poll for Channel 12 found that nearly three quarters of respondents described themselves as right-wing or centre-right.

Young supporters said Ben-Gvir made them feel secure. One 20-year-old supporter, Mordechai, said the minister's record was "90 percent" excellent. An 18-year-old, Nadav, said Ben-Gvir would stand behind young people when they joined the army.

Ben-Gvir's positions include annexing the occupied West Bank, Jewish settlement in Gaza and the "voluntary emigration" of Palestinians. Liberal Israelis largely condemn these views. Several Western countries have imposed sanctions or travel bans on Ben-Gvir and Smotrich over what they describe as incitement against Palestinians.

Background

Ben-Gvir was rejected by the Israeli army when he reached voting age, on the grounds that he was considered too radical politically. He now sits in the cabinet of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Political analyst Dahlia Scheindlin said young Israeli Jews have been more right-wing than average over the past 20 years. She said they had grown up during a series of wars. The attacks of 7 October 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza, were also cited by young supporters as a reason for their choice.