Who is Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli firebrand rising with the populist right across the globe?

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1. 1h ago

   Itamar Ben-Gvir and Israel's Populist Right

   National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir leads the Jewish Power or Otzma Yehudit party, positioning himself as a powerful figure in Israeli politics. As parliamentary elections took place, Ben-Gvir and his party worked to push Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu further to the right. Known for a strict law-and-order agenda, Ben-Gvir appeals strongly to young Israeli voters, including half a million first-time participants who lean heavily toward right-wing and security-focused platforms. His political rise aligns with a broader surge of populist right movements globally, making his party a potential kingmaker in government coalition dynamics.

   Why it matters

   Israel held national parliamentary elections on October 27, 2026, amid intense security concerns and a shifting political environment. Young voters, often described as an algorithm-bred generation right, placed security at the top of their priorities. The electoral outcome influences the future direction of Prime Minister Netanyahu's coalition and the broader relationship between hardline nationalist factions and traditional governance.

   What is confirmed

   • Itamar Ben-Gvir serves as Israel's National Security Minister and leads the Jewish Power or Otzma Yehudit party.
   • National elections for Israel's parliament were held on October 27, 2026.
   • Ben-Gvir cast his vote alongside his wife Ayala in Kiryat Arba.
   • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with right-wing leaders including Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich as coalition talks proceeded.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Ben-Gvir's plan involves pushing Netanyahu further to the right through his role as a political kingmaker.
   • Polling ahead of the election projected specific seat wins for the Otzma Yehudit party.

   What to watch next

   • Final certified election results from the October 27 vote
   • Outcomes of coalition-building negotiations between Benjamin Netanyahu and right-wing leaders
   • Cabinet assignments and policy agreements involving the Otzma Yehudit party
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. www.timesofisrael.com — Itamar Ben Gvir - The Times of Israel
   2. Time Magazine — Exclusive: Ben-Gvir’s Plan to Push Netanyahu Further Right
   3. Al Jazeera — ‘Generation Right’: Israeli youth show strong support for the right
   4. Fox News — Who is Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli firebrand rising with the populist right across the globe?
   5. The World from PRX — Israel’s young voters skew right for election
   6. The Lufkin Daily News — Israel's National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Jewish Power (Otzma Yehudit) party votes with his wife Ayala, on the day of Israel’s national election, in Kiryat Arba
   7. JNS.org — Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit to JNS: Israel needs a strong right-wing bloc
   8. The New York Times — Israel’s Most Vocal Far-Right Ministers Diverge in Election
   9. TRT World — Israel’s half a million first-time voters: The algorithm-bred ‘generation right’
   10. 1News.az — Parliamentary elections are being held in Israel
   11. The World from PRX — In Sderot, young Israeli voters put security first in consequential election
   12. www.foxnews.com — Itamar Ben-Gvir eyes a kingmaker role in Israel's Oct 27 ...
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