Otzma Yehudit Party Faces Disappointment as Election Projections Fall Short
Translated & summarized from Haaretz by baba
The Otzma Yehudit party's election headquarters experienced a subdued atmosphere on election night as exit polls projected significantly fewer seats than their anticipated ten. Party activists expressed disappointment and disbelief at the results, with one aide calling Israelis "stupid." Despite the setback, Knesset member Limor Son Har-Melech maintained faith, attributing outcomes to divine will. The party had prepared extensively for a stronger showing, but projections indicated a lower vote count.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Otzma Yehudit party's election headquarters showed low energy despite extensive preparations.
- Party members had hoped for ten Knesset seats but exit polls projected six to seven.
- An aide called Israelis "stupid" after seeing the disappointing election projections.
- Knesset member Limor Son Har-Melech expressed faith and attributed outcomes to divine will.
- The party voiced frustration over a denied request to extend voting hours.
The Otzma Yehudit party's election headquarters in Modi'in was fully prepared for a strong showing on election night, with a stage for television crews and a dedicated area for print media. Despite the organizational readiness, the atmosphere in the headquarters, which caters to a younger demographic, was subdued from early evening. Young supporters, some underage, wearing t-shirts with party slogans and images of leader Ben Gvir, appeared bored.
Key party figures were largely absent, with the exception of Itiel Neiman, the party's general manager and tenth on the Knesset list, who was seen making urgent phone calls. Another prominent figure was Oشر Gabay, 28, described as a former "hilltop youth" and currently an aide to the minister, who was observed with his partner. Throughout the evening, party members spoke optimistically about potentially winning ten Knesset seats.
Moshe Hershberg, an activist who spent the day with Ben Gvir, expressed concern about negative campaigning but remained hopeful due to late-breaking voter turnout among the Haredi community. The party also voiced frustration when their request, alongside the Likud party, to extend voting hours past 10 PM was denied.
Upon the release of exit poll results, which projected six to seven seats for the party, a young activist expressed disbelief, stating it was "unreasonable." Oشر Gabay appeared visibly upset, questioning a photographer and lamenting, "The people of Israel are stupid," though he quickly added, "But I am sure we will win in the end," with a lack of conviction.
Knesset member Limor Son Har-Melech, ranked fifth on the list, responded to questions about disappointment by stating, "We are people of faith and know things must happen. Sometimes one must go through a process, even if it is painful." When asked if Netanyahu had taken votes from them, she attributed outcomes to divine will rather than political maneuvering.
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