Jewish Power party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir declared today (Tuesday), at a special press conference on the day of the Knesset swearing-in, that his party will file a petition challenging the election results and demand new elections. He claims foreign interference and foreign funding skewed the results and prevented the formation of a right-wing government.
Ben-Gvir opened by thanking the more than 320,000 voters who chose Otzma Yehudit. “This is the first time we ran alone, independently, and received tremendous support. This is great news and a clear statement from a public that wants a real right, a right that doesn’t apologize and doesn’t fold,” he said. However, he stressed that “we can’t ignore what happened in these elections—there was serious manipulation here.”
Ben-Gvir announced the steps he intends to take: “Soon Otzma Yehudit will file a petition against the election results, and we will demand new elections. It’s unacceptable that they crudely interfere with the will of the voter and expect us to stay silent.” He added that he plans to submit a bill stating that “anyone who cannot declare loyalty to the State of Israel will not be able to take part in leading it.”
The Otzma Yehudit leader made clear he will not support forming a government that relies on terror supporters. “We won’t be loyal, we won’t vote—we must not support a government that relies on Hamas supporters. Hundreds of thousands of citizens went out to vote for the right; they didn’t vote to get a government with terror supporters. If not for improper interference by foreign countries, we would have gotten a right-wing government.”
Ben-Gvir also reviewed his work at the National Security Ministry: “I’m proud of what I did. We changed the conditions for terrorists in prisons, distributed weapons to citizens, acted against illegal construction in the Negev, opened emergency response classes, and led an aggressive policy against Israel’s enemies. This policy saved lives and will continue to save lives.”
In closing, Ben-Gvir repeated his firm position: “Leadership isn’t measured by the ability to explain why something can’t be done. I chose the courage to do what’s necessary. I very much hope and will do everything so that a government relying on Hamas supporters won’t be formed here. I will demand new elections, and I hope that’s what will happen.”