National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who leads the far-right Otzma Yehudit Party, announced on Sunday that Ofer Golan, former strategist to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will manage the party’s strategic operations ahead of the upcoming elections.
The elections are scheduled to take place no later than October. The Otzma Yehudit party, known for its far-right stance, has recently polled at around eight seats, making it a key player in Netanyahu’s coalition.
Golan stepped down from his role as Netanyahu’s adviser earlier this month.
He had served as a spokesperson for the Netanyahu family and was also a campaign manager for Likud in the 2019 elections.
Golan described the lateral move as “changing apartments, but staying in the same building.”
Upon joining Ben-Gvir’s team, he said, “Otzma Yehudit is the second-largest party in the national camp and the fourth-largest in the Knesset, representing a large and diverse public from all parts of Israeli society.”
Golan added, “In this period, full of challenges and opportunities, its success carries decisive national significance.”
He will be joining Otzma Yehudit’s campaign strategist, Ofer Rosenbaum, who has vowed that the two of them will bring “unprecedented achievements” to Ben-Gvir and the party in the upcoming elections.
“I thank Minister Ben-Gvir for his trust and for the opportunity to contribute my experience and skills to the party’s success, which is the success of the entire national camp,” Golan said.
The Otzma Yehudit party calls for Israeli sovereignty over the Temple Mount and the West Bank, which has led to international condemnation. It also sponsored the controversial legislation, which passed in the Knesset in March, mandating the death penalty for terrorists.
Ben-Gvir welcomed the addition of Golan, saying that he brought with him extensive experience, along with “a deep understanding of the political and media arena, and proven abilities in leading winning campaigns both in Israel and around the world.”
“He will strengthen the party’s existing and excellent framework,” the minister noted, adding: “With God’s help, he will greatly contribute to leading the party to even greater heights, strengthening it further, deepening its connection with the public, and advancing our messages with determination, responsibility, and professionalism.
Golan indicted on charges of harassment
In February 2025, Golan was indicted on charges of harassing Shlomo Filber, the state’s witness in the trial cases against Netanyahu.
His indictment occurred alongside that of two aides close to Netanyahu: Yonatan Urich and Israel Einhorn. The charges stemmed from an episode in August 2019 when a vehicle equipped with loudspeakers was sent near the home of Filber, a former Communications Ministry director-general, who became a state witness in the sprawling Case 4000 corruption probe involving Netanyahu.
Prosecutors said that the messages broadcast over the speakers were intended to pressure Filber to retract or soften his testimony – a serious allegation, given his central role in the case concerning alleged regulatory benefits granted to telecom tycoon Shaul Elovitch.
In 2019, Urich and Golan – among others – were investigated, and their phones were seized and searched by the Lahav 433 National Crime Unit.
In February 2026, Urich and Golan asked the Petah Tikva Magistrate’s Court to dismiss the indictment against them. They argued that the investigation had been tainted by unlawful phone searches and misleading representations to judges and therefore could not proceed fairly.
Sarah Ben-Nun contributed to this report.