Otzma Yehudit Gains Support in Polls After Demanding Defense Portfolio

Following a declaration by its leader, Itamar Ben-Gvir, that his Otzma Yehudit party will seek the Defense Ministry portfolio in the next government, the party has seen a surge in support in recent polls. Three weekend surveys published after Ben-Gvir's announcement show Otzma Yehudit polling at or above major parties like Yisrael Beiteinu and Democrats.

One poll by Maariv indicated Otzma Yehudit could secure 9 seats. In that survey, the "Yash!" party led with 22 mandates, followed by Likud with 18, and "B'Yachad" with 13. Democrats were projected to receive 11 seats, while Yisrael Beiteinu and Otzma Yehudit each garnered 9. The Joint List was predicted to get 7 seats, with United Torah Judaism, Shas, and Religious Zionism each receiving 6. Ra'am was projected to win 5 seats, and "Am Israel" and "HaMiluimnikim" 4 each.

Another poll by News 16 also placed Otzma Yehudit at 9 mandates. "Yash!" led this poll with 23 seats, Likud with 19, and "B'Yachad" with 13. Shas, Democrats, and Yisrael Beiteinu were each projected to receive 8 seats, United Torah Judaism and the Joint List 7 each, Ra'am and Religious Zionism 5 each, and "Am Israel" and "Handel-Zalicha" 4 each.

A third poll by i24, released Sunday evening, showed Otzma Yehudit with 8 mandates. In this survey, Likud led with 27 seats, "Yash!" with 22, and "B'Yachad" and Democrats with 9 each. United Torah Judaism received 8 mandates, while Shas, Yisrael Beiteinu, and the Joint List were projected to win 7 seats each. Religious Zionism and Ra'am were each predicted to get 6 seats, with "Am Israel" receiving 4.