Ben-Gvir courts disappointed Likud, Shas voters, pushes for fully right-wing government

Otzma Yehudit is preparing to court disappointed Likud voters and segments of Shas's traditional electorate, while also planning a campaign against the formation of a "broad government" after the election.

The party sees an opportunity to appeal both to disappointed Likud voters and to parts of Shas's traditional constituency. The message taking shape in the party is intended to appeal to a broad audience, including haredim (ultra-Orthodox), religious, traditional and secular Israelis, as well as combat soldiers.

"Anyone whose heart is on the right side of the political map is welcome to join us," party officials said.

Otzma Yehudit believes there is potential to draw votes from both parties, in part based on the experience of recent elections, in which right-wing voters were reluctant to vote for lists that were in danger of failing to cross the electoral threshold.

At the same time, Otzma Yehudit is preparing a campaign against the possibility of forming a "broad government" after the election. At this stage, the move is not being presented as a personal confrontation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but rather as an effort to sharpen the debate within the Right over the composition of the next government.

'a fully right-wing government'

The messages are initially being conveyed in briefings, with a public campaign later expected against a partnership with centrist and center-left parties and in favor of establishing a "fully right-wing government."

Otzma Yehudit believes there is also significant opposition to a broad government among Likud MKs and party members, and that such a campaign could put pressure on Netanyahu from within his own party. The move comes against the backdrop of dissatisfaction among some voters on Likud's right wing following the primaries.

The sidelining of several figures identified with that wing, coupled with messages about the possibility of forming a broad government, has created an opportunity for other parties on the Right to try to draw those voters.

According to assessments in the political system, the potential pool amounts to several Knesset seats, although there is currently no polling data that would allow it to be quantified precisely. The party being formed by Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter is also seeking to compete for the same electorate.

Even before the Likud primaries, National Security Minister and head of the Otzma Yehudit Party, Itamar Ben-Gvir claimed that eight senior figures in the party, four serving ministers and four MKs, had approached him and asked to join Otzma Yehudit.

"Four serving ministers and four serving MKs approached me to ask me to reserve spots for them. They see Otzma's polls, they saw how strong we are, and they wanted to join," Ben-Gvir told 103FM.

However, Ben-Gvir clarified at the time: "Likud is Likud, Otzma is Otzma. I wish them success in Likud."

Later, MK Tally Gotliv claimed on Radio North 104.5FM that "there was a conversation between Itamar and Netanyahu in which he asked the prime minister to give up Gotliv. The prime minister said he could [give up] anyone, but he would not give up Gotliv. When they conducted a poll around the prime minister, they reached the conclusion that I'm worth five seats."