Otzma Yehudit Party Stages Protest Stunt in Jerusalem, Sparks Outrage

The Otzma Yehudit party announced Wednesday it conducted a social experiment in Jerusalem, deploying activists to operate a mock left-wing petition stand called "Peace Now!" The stunt aimed to gauge public reaction to a fabricated platform opposing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's policies and supporting an end to hunger strikes by terrorists in prisons. Video released by the party shows activists at a central Jerusalem location soliciting signatures for the petition. Passersby confronted the activists, with some questioning their Jewish identity and expressing shame, while others made violent threats. One resident was heard saying, "You are Jewish? How are you not ashamed?" and another suggested, "There is a pill that really solves the starvation of terrorists, it's called 5.56."

The incident occurred as parties finalized their Knesset lists for the October 27th elections. Otzma Yehudit submitted a significantly altered slate compared to the 2022 elections, featuring new prominent figures like Tali Gottlieb, who left Likud and secured the second spot, and Hanamel Dorfman, Ben-Gvir's chief of staff.