Ben-Gvir Urges Ultra-Orthodox Voters Not to Waste Ballots
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir warned the ultra-Orthodox community about wasted votes in the upcoming elections, citing surveys showing significant support for parties below the electoral threshold and high abstention rates. He urged voters not to "give a gift" to Gali Baharav-Miara and instead vote for Otzma Yehudit. The party has formed a special task force, led by candidate Yossi Goldberger, to target these potentially lost votes through direct engagement.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir warned of wasted votes among ultra-Orthodox voters.
- Surveys show 1.5-2 mandates may vote for parties failing to pass the threshold.
- Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox voters may abstain from voting.
- Ben-Gvir urged voters not to "give a gift" to Gali Baharav-Miara.
- Otzma Yehudit formed a task force to capture 'lost votes' in the sector.
- Yossi Goldberger will lead the party's new task force targeting undecided voters.
Otzma Yehudit Chairman and Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has issued a special statement to the ultra-Orthodox press, expressing deep concern over voting patterns within the community ahead of the upcoming elections. Ben-Gvir presented data from in-depth surveys indicating that between 1.5 and 2 Knesset mandates worth of ultra-Orthodox voters intend to cast ballots for parties that will not pass the electoral threshold. Additionally, tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox citizens are reportedly planning to abstain from voting altogether.
"My ultra-Orthodox brethren, we are seeing a worrying phenomenon," Ben-Gvir stated, addressing the community. He urged them not to "give a gift" to Gali Baharav-Miara, implying that wasted votes would benefit political opponents. He specifically called on disappointed voters of other ultra-Orthodox parties to vote for Otzma Yehudit instead, framing it as a means to unseat Baharav-Miara.
In response to these findings, Otzma Yehudit has established a special task force focused on capturing these "lost votes" within the ultra-Orthodox sector. The party has appointed Yossi Goldberger, who is ranked ninth on their electoral list, to lead this initiative. The task force's objective is to engage with potential voters who are considering supporting parties below the threshold or not voting at all.
The party's efforts will involve house meetings and personal consultations with voters. Otzma Yehudit clarified that their outreach is directed solely at voters disillusioned with existing ultra-Orthodox parties, who are contemplating voting for parties unlikely to pass the electoral threshold or abstaining from voting, and not at those following rabbinical directives to vote for established ultra-Orthodox parties.
