Itamar Ben Gvir, a controversial right-wing Israeli figure who gained international fame in the current government, failed to meet expectations in the recent elections and did not secure more seats. However, support for him remains among his supporters.
Public Support in Sderot
Under the scorching sun of Sderot, a city near the Gaza border, Yaakov Perez, an employee at a bakery, expressed his belief that Ben Gvir will remain a central force. He said: "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs Ben Gvir to be strong and stable alongside him and to represent right-wing views."
After years of Israeli voters leaning to the right, far-right parties like Ben Gvir's "Jewish Power" and Bezalel Smotrich's "Religious Zionism" expected to achieve significant victories in last week's elections. However, these parties ultimately secured only 13 seats, the same number as before, and failed to be recognized as a dominant force.
Challenges Facing Right-Wing Extremists
Ben Gvir, known as a divisive figure among mainstream right-wingers, has previously been convicted of incitement to racism and has been appointed Minister of National Security in Netanyahu's government. He and Smotrich form the most radical wing of the current coalition.
Ben Gvir has called for the "voluntary migration" of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank, as well as severe reductions in food and healthcare for Palestinian prisoners. He publicly expressed a desire to become Minister of Defense before the elections. However, after four years of unprecedented influence, it seems that right-wing extremists are on the verge of returning to the margins.
In the October 27 elections, Netanyahu's bloc, which included Ben Gvir and Smotrich's parties, managed to secure 53 seats, but still fell short of the 61 seats needed to maintain power. Meanwhile, the opposition camp led by Gadi Eisenkot obtained 48 seats, raising concerns for right-wing extremists about the possibility of collaboration with the Arab-Israeli parties that gained 19 seats.
Susan Buskila, a voter from Sderot, expressed concern that a potential coalition between Eisenkot and the Arab parties could lead to reduced military control in Gaza. She said: "This is a real concern, but I hope Netanyahu makes the right decisions for all of us."
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