Why Israeli Gen Z voters are drawn to the far right

Itamar Ben-Gvir is Israel’s far-right National Security Minister and the leader of Jewish Power. His political views were once considered so extreme that he was rejected from the army, but he is now part of the government’s inner circle. Bezalel Smotrich leads Religious Zionism and is Ben-Gvir’s far-right ally.

These parties attract young supporters by promising strength and security. Some first-time voters say Ben-Gvir will protect them when they join the army. Others believe the 7 October attacks proved that peace is impossible and that Israel must show greater force.

The parties’ support matters because more than half a million people are voting for the first time. Polling cited in the article says over 16% plan to support Jewish Power or Religious Zionism. Both parties are already powerful parts of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition.

Israel has more than half a million first-time voters in the election described. Their votes could matter because the contest is close between two established blocs. A relatively small change in turnout or party support can affect which bloc wins enough strength to form or sustain a government.

A poll for Yedioth Ahronoth found that more than 16% of these new voters planned to support Jewish Power or Religious Zionism. Those parties are led by Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. The figure applies to the first-time voter group, not to all Israeli voters.

The article also reports strong motivation to vote. More than 80% of first-time voters said they were likely to cast a ballot. That combination of size, enthusiasm, and far-right support makes young voters a potentially decisive force in a tightly balanced election.

Many young Israeli Jews have grown up during repeated wars and without personal experience of serious peace efforts. Political analyst Dahlia Scheindlin says young Israeli Jews have been more right-wing than average for about 20 years, especially compared with people aged 55 and over.

The article links this outlook to lived experience and political socialisation. Young people saw security threats as a continuing reality, while public debate increasingly treated annexation, settlement expansion, and other hard-line ideas as legitimate subjects. The 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks reinforced that sense of danger for many.

Almost three-quarters of first-time voters identify as right-wing or centre-right, according to a Channel 12 survey. Some say October 7 convinced them that peace is not possible. Their attitudes may help far-right parties gain votes, especially when security and national identity dominate the election.

Ben-Gvir’s political positions include annexing the occupied West Bank, establishing Jewish settlements in Gaza, and promoting the “voluntary emigration” of Palestinians. His far-right ally Bezalel Smotrich supports the same broader political camp. These ideas go beyond ordinary security policy and concern territory, settlement, and the future of Palestinians.

They are controversial because liberal Israelis widely condemn both the positions and the rhetoric used to promote them. Several Western countries have imposed sanctions or travel bans on Ben-Gvir and Smotrich for incitement against Palestinians. The article presents their agenda as a major source of division in Israel.

Despite that condemnation, both politicians hold powerful ministerial positions in Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition. Their influence shows how far-right ideas have moved from the political margins into government. Their positions also sharpen the election’s argument over Israel’s security, identity, and relationship with Palestinians.

The election is described as a tight race between stable pro-government and anti-government blocs. More than half a million people are voting for the first time, so their participation could shift the balance. In a close contest, even a modest difference in turnout can change the distribution of seats and political leverage.

The mechanism is straightforward: voters must both choose a party and actually reach the polling station. Surveys suggest over 80% of first-time voters are likely to vote, while parties are actively trying to motivate them. Far-right parties already attract more than 16% of this group in one poll.

If young voters turn out in large numbers, they could strengthen parties that appeal to their security concerns, including Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power. But the article does not predict a final result. It shows only that new voters could make the difference in a deadlocked race.

The article does not mention TikTok, Instagram, or any specific social-media strategy. It does show that far-right politicians are attracting young supporters through energetic campaigning, strong security messages, and direct contact with first-time voters. Any explanation involving particular platforms therefore comes from general knowledge, not this article.

Short-video apps can reward simple, emotional, highly visual messages. Politicians who use forceful language, dramatic clips, symbols, and personal performances may gain attention quickly. Algorithms can also show political content to people who already engage with similar themes, helping messages spread within like-minded groups.

Liberal or centrist politicians may appear less effective if their arguments are more cautious, detailed, or compromise-focused. However, that is not inevitable, and the article provides no evidence that Ben-Gvir performs better on TikTok or Instagram. The broader lesson is that communication style can shape reach, especially among younger audiences.

A democratic election is a process in which eligible citizens vote among competing parties or candidates, and the result determines who receives political power. Elections matter because they give voters a formal way to choose leaders, reward policies, reject them, and influence government direction.

Distrusting democratic institutions does not make a vote irrelevant. A voter may dislike parliament, parties, or the political system while still supporting a candidate who promises security or change. If many sceptical voters participate, their combined ballots can affect seats, coalitions, and the government’s priorities.

The article reports that first-time voters are less engaged by protests or petitions and more sceptical about democratic institutions. Yet more than 80% say they are likely to vote. Their participation could therefore be especially important in a close election, because distrust and political influence can exist at the same time.