# Far-Right Politics Gains Unprecedented Traction Among First-Time Israeli Voters

> Ahead of national elections, over half a million first-time Israeli voters are shifting decisively toward hardline and far-right political factions.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Middle East · **Published:** 2026-10-20 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/middle-east/israel-ke-yuva-matadataon-men-dhura-dakshinapnthi-rajaniti-ki-barhati-svikaryata-49755 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Israel Elections, Itamar Ben-Gvir, First Time Voters, Far Right, Benjamin Netanyahu, Naftali Bennett, Middle East Politics

With national elections approaching in Israel, political campaigns are intensifying their focus on the country's youth, uncovering a dramatic shift toward hardline politics among voters preparing to cast their ballots for the first time. At the center of this movement stands National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose campaign trail is frequently thronged by vocal young supporters. Three decades ago, when Ben-Gvir reached drafting age, the military rejected him from mandatory service due to his extreme political activism. Today, once considered an outcast by mainstream political institutions, he occupies a central position within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition.

## A Surge in Far-Right Leanings Among First-Time Ballots
More than half a million first-time voters are eligible to participate in the upcoming general election, a contest widely framed across the nation as existential for the country's security and future identity. Electoral forecasts indicate an exceptionally tight race between the ruling bloc and the opposition, positioning these young citizens as a pivotal demographic capable of tipping the scales. Data from a survey conducted for the daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth revealed that more than 16% of first-time voters intend to back far-right political factions, specifically Ben-Gvir's Jewish Power party or the Religious Zionism party led by his allied minister, Bezalel Smotrich.

Furthermore, findings from another poll by television network Channel 12 indicate that nearly three-quarters of this younger cohort classify their political stance as right or centre-right. This represents a substantial ideological divergence from older generations, marking a hardening of political sentiment among the nation's youth.

## Rallies in Ramle and Voices from the Younger Base
During a campaign visit to the covered market in Ramle, a mixed municipality home to both Jewish and Arab residents, Ben-Gvir moved through stalls surrounded by security details while young followers waved party flags overhead. Addressing the younger electorate, Ben-Gvir stressed the importance of turning out at the voting booths, stating that his team sees the widespread backing and wants to secure an absolute victory.

Young supporters accompanying the event articulated why his rhetoric resonates with them. Mordechai, a 20-year-old attendee, expressed that Ben-Gvir provides him with a feeling of protection. Comparing political figures throughout history from Trump to Moses, Mordechai remarked that occasional verbal missteps do not diminish the fact that roughly 90% of what Ben-Gvir stands for is outstanding. Similarly, 18-year-old Nadav shared that the minister demonstrates national strength. Nadav explained that Ben-Gvir provides security, ensuring that when young citizens enter the military, they have leadership standing firmly behind them, adding that for many years individuals felt constrained in openly declaring their ideology.

## The Long-Term Impact of Conflict and October 7
The traumatic events of the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October 2023 and the resulting war in Gaza have significantly hardened perspectives among young citizens. Meir Schreiber, a 23-year-old ultra-Orthodox resident who was raised in London, noted that those attacks solidified his decision to endorse Ben-Gvir. Schreiber explained that youth have concluded that peaceful solutions are unattainable, observing that life-defining events during one's formative years leave an indelible mark, and October 7 was that defining moment for his generation.

Political analyst Dahlia Scheindlin, who has directed numerous political campaigns in the country, emphasized that this shift is part of a broader, decades-long trend rather than an isolated reaction to recent events. For approximately the past 20 years, young Israeli Jews have consistently polled further to the right than the overall population, particularly when contrasted with citizens aged 55 and older. Having grown up amidst recurring conflicts without firsthand memories of diplomatic peace initiatives, this generation has matured in an environment where ideas like West Bank annexation, settlement growth, and the post-October 7 annexation of Gaza have been normalized as standard debate topics, and they are now exercising their franchise.

## Polarizing Agendas and Contrasting Community Reactions
Ben-Gvir remains a deeply polarizing figure. His platform champions the formal annexation of the occupied West Bank, the re-establishment of Jewish settlements within Gaza, and what he describes as the voluntary emigration of Palestinians. Liberal factions within the country vigorously condemn these proposals. Abroad, several Western governments have instituted travel bans and financial sanctions against both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich over public incitement against Palestinians, even as both retain influential cabinet portfolios.

The divided atmosphere was evident in Ramle, where some market vendors tossed confections toward the visiting minister, while others watched with visible disapproval. One merchant remarked that Ben-Gvir creates societal division, noting that despite being a mixed Jewish-Arab city, Ramle maintained quiet even after October 7. The stallholder argued that the minister's rhetoric specifically targets young, impressionable individuals lacking deep political education.

## Classroom Discourse and Distrust of Civic Frameworks
The intensity of hardline sentiments among high school youth was recently brought to light through classroom discussions documented by satirist Lior Schleien. These filmed sessions, organized to confront extreme rhetoric, attracted substantial public notice, including one exchange where a pupil argued for the killing of Arab citizens in the country. That recording was subsequently taken down from the producer's platform.

Survey metrics reveal that over 80% of eligible first-time voters express a strong intent to cast their ballots. However, the same polling reveals an underlying cynicism toward established democratic norms, accompanied by a marked reluctance to engage in conventional civic actions such as public demonstrations or formal petitions.

## Digital Strategies Reshaping Political Outreach
With the electorate deadlocked between the governing coalition and anti-government alliances, voter participation among the youth is widely regarded as a decisive battleground. In response, opposition groups are refining their strategies, fielding youthful candidates and issuing warnings regarding institutional checks and balances.

Yonatan Shalev, a 24-year-old legislative candidate representing the centre-right Beyachad (Together) party headed by former prime minister Naftali Bennett, pointed out that Ben-Gvir grasped the influence of digital communication far earlier than mainstream politicians. Shalev noted that traditional liberal figures neglected platforms like TikTok and Instagram, enabling Ben-Gvir to dominate that space unopposed. He highlighted that during the 2022 national election, turnout in the liberal stronghold of Tel Aviv reached only 59%, whereas districts heavily favoring Ben-Gvir recorded turnouts near 90%.

Shalev explained that his campaign has pushed to counter this digital dominance. While Ben-Gvir previously led in metrics such as views and likes across major video platforms three months prior, Bennett has recently overtaken him with dynamic workout clips and informal street discussions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has similarly adapted, releasing fast-cut videos featuring heavy electronic soundtracks to capture attention. Shalev emphasized that younger audiences rarely consult traditional print outlets or broadcasts, relying instead on vertical video feeds for political news.

## A Fractured Youth Vote on Election Day
Despite the rightward momentum, young voters remain fragmented across different alternatives. While far-right parties claim around 16% of first-time voter intent, approximately 9% indicate support for Beyachad, with an equivalent 9% leaning toward the centre-right Yashar party led by Gadi Eisenkot.

Encounters on the ground reflect these divergent views. Yahlee Reske and Mika Magal, both 21, spoke warmly of younger candidates like Shalev, observing that listening to veteran politicians repeat familiar talking points has grown tiresome. Reske, who was completing mandatory military duty during the October 7 assault, recalled that she rarely paid attention to political governance prior to the incident, reflecting that different administrative leadership at that time might have altered outcomes.

The divide also turns contentious in academic spaces; during a recent student appearance in Tel Aviv, demonstrators interrupted Ben-Gvir with chants against fascism, ultimately compelling him to exit the stage. As the country heads toward polling stations, the younger demographic mirrors the broader nation, divided over whether hardline policies offer genuine security or pose a threat to democratic integrity.

## What this means for you
The sharp shift of young Israeli voters toward hardline political parties has profound ramifications for Middle Eastern stability and international diplomacy.

- **Regional Geopolitics:** A stronger presence of far-right factions in government could accelerate policies regarding West Bank annexation and settlement expansion. This outcome would likely escalate diplomatic friction between Israel and its Western allies.
- **Global Energy Markets:** Political polarization and heightened regional tensions often translate into volatile crude oil prices worldwide. Import-dependent economies could face heightened inflationary pressure if regional friction disrupts maritime trade routes.
- **Diplomatic Relations:** With existing Western sanctions against key ministers, an expanded far-right coalition would further complicate multinational peace initiatives. International mediators may find formal diplomatic engagement increasingly deadlocked.
- **Digital Campaign Dynamics:** The effective mobilization of youth via short-form video platforms illustrates how social networks are redefining political participation. Campaign strategists globally will closely observe how digital engagement shapes real-world turnout in polarized races.

## Why this happened
The growing appeal of hardline ideologies among the younger generation stems from prolonged security crises and the absence of tangible peace frameworks.

- **Fallout from October 7:** The cross-border attacks on 7 October 2023 fundamentally shattered assumptions regarding national safety among youths. Experiencing this trauma during their formative years led many first-time voters to reject diplomatic concessions in favor of uncompromising military posture.
- **Absence of Peace Negotiations:** Having matured over the past twenty years amid repeated military confrontations, this generation possesses no living memory of viable peace processes. Consequently, ideas surrounding settlement expansion and territory annexation have become widely accepted norms in standard political discourse.
- **Dominance on Digital Channels:** Far-right leaders capitalized on vertical video platforms well before traditional parties recognized their electoral potential. By circumventing conventional news broadcasts, they established direct contact with youth who consume current affairs exclusively via digital feeds.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. How many first-time voters are eligible in the upcoming election in Israel?
More than 500,000 young citizens will be casting their ballots for the first time in this election cycle.

### 2. What percentage of new voters plan to back far-right political parties?
According to a poll by Yedioth Ahronoth, over 16% of first-time voters intend to support far-right factions.

### 3. Why was Itamar Ben-Gvir rejected from military service in his youth?
He was barred from serving in the Israeli armed forces because his political views were considered too extreme at drafting age.

### 4. How are opposition parties trying to reach younger citizens?
Opposition groups are fielding youthful candidates and actively producing digital video content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

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