Otzma Yehudit Official Details Party's Goals and Ben-Gvir's Tenure

Ezra Mor, the newly appointed head of the Russian-speaking штаб (staff) for the Otzma Yehudit party, discussed the party's objectives and the accomplishments of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in an interview. Mor highlighted changes within the prison service, stating that under Ben-Gvir, conditions for terrorists have become punitive, contrasting with previous periods where they were perceived as too lenient. He cited the removal of privileges like self-baking of pita bread as symbolic of reclaiming control from inmates.

Mor also addressed the persistent issue of crime in the Arab sector, attributing it partly to budget reallocations and a lack of cooperation with law enforcement. He noted that while the Jewish sector's crime rates are different, the overall situation requires ongoing efforts, including the involvement of the Shin Bet. He also mentioned the recruitment of approximately 1,500 individuals from the ultra-Orthodox community into the police, Shin Bet, and prison service as a significant achievement.

Regarding the party's political strategy, Mor explained why Otzma Yehudit is not merging with other right-wing parties like Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism, arguing that such a union would not yield significant electoral gains while creating complex obligations. He positioned Otzma Yehudit as the only consistently right-wing party.

Mor also elaborated on the party's "7/10" plan, which proposes the voluntary emigration of Gaza Strip residents. This plan, he stressed, involves Israel facilitating the relocation process, including securing agreements with host countries and providing support for emigrants for their first two years. He stated that the goal is to dismantle the current structure of Gaza and allow its residents to build new lives elsewhere, emphasizing that the process would be entirely voluntary.

Mor's role as head of the Russian-speaking штаб is to inform this community about the government's achievements under Ben-Gvir and the party's future plans. He acknowledged that Ben-Gvir is often portrayed more sensationally in the media than for his policy work, and aims to correct this perception.