Far‑Right Momentum: Israeli Youth Swings Power to Ben Gvir
When Itamar Ben Gvir turned eighteen, the Israeli army turned him away, deeming him "too politically extreme." Thirty years on, he is a pillar of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition and the face of a growing nationalist surge that is now sweeping the country’s first‑time voters.
In interviews across Ramle’s bustling market, Ben Gvir urges young Israelis to turn out and vote, claiming the nation’s security rests on his hard‑line approach: annex the West Bank, settle Gaza, and push for voluntary Palestinian emigration. Approximately one‑sixth of voters between 18‑22 pledge support for his Jewish Power or for ally Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party, according to a Yedioth Ahronoth poll. Another survey from Channel 12 shows nearly 75 % of the same cohort identify as right‑ or centre‑right.
Their enthusiasm is often traced back to the shock of the 7 October Hamas attacks, which left the nation reeling. Interviews with 20‑year‑olds like Mordechai and 18‑year‑old Nadav reveal a belief that Ben Gvir’s rhetoric offers the security they feel was absent before the crisis.
Ben Gvir’s appeal is amplified by a mastery of social media, outpacing older rivals on TikTok and Instagram. Political strategist Yonatan Shalev notes that while former prime minister Naftali Bennett has recently taken over the stream of viral footage, Ben Gvir still leads in likes and views among younger users.
Opposition forces attempt to counter the tide by highlighting threats to democracy and championing younger, more centrist candidates. Yet, with the electorate split between pro‑government and anti‑government blocs, the turnout of the first‑time voters could decide the country’s direction.
As Israel prepares for the 2026 general election, the nation is at a crossroads: the youth’s shift toward hard‑right politics may redefine the country's future, but it also deepens internal divisions. How the world reacts to these domestic shifts will shape Israel’s trajectory for years to come.
