developing· Politics· Updated 12:21

Ben-Gvir's Party Faces Disappointment on Election Night

The Otzma Yehudit party, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, experienced deep disappointment and despair at its election night headquarters in Modi'in as exit polls projected only six to seven Knesset seats. The party had anticipated a historic achievement with a double-digit seat count, preparing its campaign headquarters for a major celebration.

3 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 27 Oct, 22:21

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Ben-Gvir's Party Faces Disappointment on Election Night — Illustration by baba

What happened

01The Otzma Yehudit party, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, faced major disappointment as exit polls projected only six to seven Knesset seats.
02Activists gathered at a rented hall in Modi'in expecting a historic, double-digit seat count on Tuesday night.
03A strict media blackout was imposed on all Otzma Yehudit party members throughout the evening as the disappointing results emerged.
04Party chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir avoided taking the stage for hours following the broadcast of the exit polls at 10:00 PM.
05Some party activists blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's last-minute campaign for siphoning away their projected votes.
06An aide to Ben-Gvir was overheard calling Israeli voters stupid before quickly retracting the comment, according to Haaretz English.

As the exit polls were broadcast around 10:00 PM on Tuesday, the initial optimism among activists quickly faded. A strict media blackout was imposed on all party members throughout the evening, leaving attendees and journalists without immediate answers. Party chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir avoided taking the stage for hours, though he maintained a public facade of resolve.

Some activists blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's last-minute "Gevald" campaign for siphoning off votes. Amid the frustration, an aide to Ben-Gvir was overheard making a derogatory remark about Israeli voters before quickly retracting it and expressing hope for the final results.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 12:32

Latest report: Haaretz English. Read Haaretz English’s original