Likud furious at Ben Gvir: 'He caused damage to the right, brought out the Bedouins en masse'

Likud activists are furious at Itamar Ben Gvir, claiming his aggressive rhetoric led to an unprecedented surge in Bedouin voting in the Negev, with 80% turnout in Rahat. Likud activists say he 'drove them out of their homes to vote against us,' while Otzma Yehudit accuses Likud of an aggressive campaign that siphoned votes.

Likud is furious at National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, claiming his aggressive rhetoric and militant statements caused an unprecedented increase in voting among the Bedouin sector in the Negev, severely damaging the right-wing camp. Voter turnout in Rahat soared to 80%, compared to 60.6% in the previous elections. Likud activists on the ground describe a tense atmosphere and anger toward Ben Gvir, asserting that he 'drove them out of their homes in a mad dash to vote against us.' In response, Otzma Yehudit activists accuse Likud of running an aggressive campaign by Netanyahu that siphoned votes from Ben Gvir. Bedouin residents explain that the mass mobilization stemmed from a sense of siege and protest against the demolition policies and the minister's statements.