Israel’s crowded far-right hardens its tone as elections loom

With two months to go before elections, Israel’s far-right field is expanding and hardening its rhetoric. Itamar Ben Gvir is pushing harsher measures against Palestinians, including a broadened death-penalty framework, while new parties such as Ofer Winter’s Your People Israel and Arab-Christian Yoseph Haddad join Avi Maoz’s Noam and Moshe Feiglin’s Identity, intensifying competition for right-wing votes. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition hinges on this bloc, but the 3.25% electoral threshold risks vote loss if factions fail to unite. Smotrich touts West Bank settlement expansion and a plan to Judaize the Negev and Galilee, amplifying concerns about a Palestinian state. An AI-generated campaign video depicting Palestinian prisoners went viral before being removed, underscoring the provocative messaging shaping the race. As elections near, the rightward spectrum grows more extreme and crowded.