Otzma Yehudit

Election panel clears Otzma Yehudit for October vote after barring Arab slates day earlier

Applications aimed to disqualify Otzma Yehudit from elections alleged denial of Israel’s democratic character and incitement to racism.

Otzma Yehudit party chairman and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attends a supporters’ conference ahead of the upcoming general elections in Netanya, September 1, 2026.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, National Security Minister and chairman of the Otzma Yehudit party tours at Htikva market, in Tel Aviv ahead of the upcoming general elections, September 18, 2026.

Israel Election 2026: What does Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit stand for?

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir holds a press conference with new Otzma Yehudit MK Tally Gotliv, in Tel Aviv, September 4, 2026

Likud rejects Otzma Yehudit's Ben-Gvir's push for Defense Ministry, Justice Ministry for Gotliv

 MK Ofer Cassif attends a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on January 30, 2024

Election panel votes to bar Ofer Cassif from Knesset race, Supreme Court review set for next week


Ministers advance bill to allow Israeli gov't sweeping power to fire top public service officials

The proposal will now head to the Knesset for preliminary voting, but is unlikely to proceed prior to the approximately three-month summer recess set to begin on July 27.

 Justice Minister Yariv Levin at a Knesset committee meeting in Jerusalem. January 21, 2025.

Almog Cohen rescinds resignation from gov’t as Netanyahu advances Negev airport

Cohen resigned less than 48 hours ago, citing the lack of progress in advancing the establishment of a civilian airport in the Negev.

 MK Almog Cohen reacts at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem during a petition to allow medical treatment for Hamas terrorists, July 1, 2024.

Almog Cohen resigns from gov’t over Nevatim airport law

After resigning, Cohen accused the “deep state” (professional government echelon) of pushing for the airport to be built in the Jezreel Valley instead. 

 MK Almog Cohen reacts at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem during a petition to allow medical treatment for Hamas terrorists, July 1, 2024.

'Silencing Arabs': Arab factions slam Zionist opposition's part in Ayman Odeh impeachment

The two Israeli-Arab parties in the Knesset announced that they would boycott a meeting between the heads of their opposition parties due to some members in support for impeaching MK Ayman Odeh.

 MK Ayman Odeh attends an emergency conference on the murders in the Arab society at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 21, 2025

Netanyahu surges in first poll after Iran war, Bennett's bloc remains ahead, election poll finds

Netanyahu's bloc has risen from 46 to 48 seats, while the opposition bloc still maintains a majority of 62 seats, allowing Bennett to form an alternative government even without the Arab parties.

 (L-R) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, Opposition Leader and Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid.

'Traitor!': Protesters boo Democrats chair Yair Golan at Beersheba conference

At the event, far-right Otzma Yehudit MK Almog Cohen led protesters in yelling "traitor" at Golan in an attempt to disrupt the speech. 

Democrats chair Yair Golan addresses the Sderot Society and Education conference in Beersheba, May 27, 2025.

Ben-Gvir bucks status-quo, announces prayer permitted on Temple Mount

In a speech given during his visit to the site, Ben-Gvir said he was "praying for victory in the Israel-Hamas War, the return of all hostages being held in Gaza."

 National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visits the Temple Mount in Jerusalem Old City, on Jerusalem Day, May 26, 2025

Ministers, two MKs summoned for investigation of Sde Teiman breach, two refuse summons

The breach occurred on July 29, after the IDF Military Police Criminal Investigation Division raided the base and arrested reservist soldiers on suspicion of sexually abusing a detainee.

 MK ZVI SUKKOT protests last week at the Sde Teiman military base, against the detention of reserve soldiers suspected of sexually abusing an imprisoned Hamas terrorist. There’s a growing population that believes the law doesn’t apply to them, says the writer.

C'mtee decides to limit bonfires at Mt. Meron ahead of annual pilgrimage

Last year, the event was cancelled due to Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah.

 Rabbi Elimelech Biderman with his followers celebrate the jewish holiday of Lag Ba'Omer, in Meron. May 9, 2023

Likud and Otzma Yehudit lose ground, opposition makes gains in recent election survey - poll

The Religious Zionist Party, led by Bezalel Smotrich, gained a mandate, conferring the coalition a loss of one seat.

 Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir during a discussion and a vote in the assembly hall of the Knesset in Jerusalem. March 6, 2023.