Officials in Otzma Yehudit are going after Likud’s new election campaign today (Tuesday), accusing the ruling party of taking credit for issues and moves that National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s party actually led.
“We worked so hard to make sure a ‘Palestinian’ state doesn’t get established here, and to push for removing terror supporters from the Knesset—like Otzma Yehudit just did with Sami Abu Shehadeh—and now we’re seeing our party’s successes starring in other people’s campaigns,” the officials said. “We’re glad the public is smart and knows exactly who acted, who led, and who will keep working for a full, full right-wing government.”
The comments come against the backdrop of Likud’s new campaign, which seeks to make the question of establishing a ‘Palestinian’ state one of the core issues of the election and frame the ballot box choice as a decision between a right-wing government and one that would advance moves toward a ‘Palestinian’ state.
But Otzma Yehudit isn’t planning to leave Likud this arena without competition. The party wants to remind right-wing voters of the actions its members have pushed in recent years and the line Ben Gvir has presented throughout his tenure against establishing a ‘Palestinian’ state and against the continued existence of the ‘Palestinian’ Authority in its current form.
Earlier, Otzma Yehudit had already officially responded to Likud’s campaign with a message of its own: “A strong Otzma Yehudit = Ben Gvir as Defense Minister = Dismantling the Authority.” The message ties into the demand Ben Gvir presented last week to receive the Defense Ministry portfolio in the next government. The Jewish Power chairman announced it would be one of his party’s conditions for joining the next coalition.
The issue of disqualifying far-left and Islamic candidates has also recently become an arena of competition between right-wing parties. Otzma Yehudit was among the parties that worked in the Central Elections Committee against candidacies of Arab parties and candidates, and the party now seeks to present this activity as part of what distinguishes it from Likud.