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 to a broad audience, including haredim, religious, traditional and secular Israelis, as well as combat soldiers. Party officials said anyone whose heart is on the right side of the political map is welcome to join them.

Otzma Yehudit is positioning itself to attract voters from Likud and Shas who are dissatisfied with the direction of their parties, particularly after the Likud primaries. The party is preparing a campaign against the formation of a 'broad government' that would include centrist or center-left parties, instead advocating for a 'fully right-wing government.' Party officials are conveying these messages in briefings, with a public campaign expected later. Ben-Gvir claimed that eight senior Likud figures—four ministers and four MKs—approached him to join Otzma Yehudit, though he later clarified that Likud is Likud and Otzma is Otzma. MK Tally Gotliv claimed there was a conversation between Ben-Gvir and Netanyahu in which Ben-Gvir asked Netanyahu to give up Gotliv, but Netanyahu refused. The potential pool of disaffected voters is estimated at several Knesset seats, though no polling data quantifies it precisely. The party being formed by Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter is also competing for the same electorate.