Otzma Yehudit

Otzma Yehudit is a far-right nationalist Israeli political party. The party, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, is often criticized for being extremist and the ideological descendent of the Kahanist Kach Party, which has been designated a terrorist organization. 

The party supports expansion of the Israeli settlements in the West Bank as well as annexing the West Bank, and supports eased regulations on gaining firearm licenses. It also has advocated for changing IDF rules of engagement, empowering the Israel Police, cracking down on Arab sector crime, and Israeli sovereignty on the Temple Mount.

'Traitor!': Protesters boo Democrats chair Yair Golan at Beersheba conference

At the event, far-right Otzma Yehudit MK Almog Cohen led protesters in yelling "traitor" at Golan in an attempt to disrupt the speech. 

Democrats chair Yair Golan addresses the Sderot Society and Education conference in Beersheba, May 27, 2025.
 National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visits the Temple Mount in Jerusalem Old City, on Jerusalem Day, May 26, 2025

Ben-Gvir bucks status-quo, announces prayer permitted on Temple Mount

 MK ZVI SUKKOT protests last week at the Sde Teiman military base, against the detention of reserve soldiers suspected of sexually abusing an imprisoned Hamas terrorist. There’s a growing population that believes the law doesn’t apply to them, says the writer.

Ministers, two MKs summoned for investigation of Sde Teiman breach, two refuse summons

 Rabbi Elimelech Biderman with his followers celebrate the jewish holiday of Lag Ba'Omer, in Meron. May 9, 2023

C'mtee decides to limit bonfires at Mt. Meron ahead of annual pilgrimage


Likud and Otzma Yehudit lose ground, opposition makes gains in recent election survey - poll

The Religious Zionist Party, led by Bezalel Smotrich, gained a mandate, conferring the coalition a loss of one seat.

 Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir during a discussion and a vote in the assembly hall of the Knesset in Jerusalem. March 6, 2023.

Smotrich to return to Knesset, while remaining finance minister

The move’s purpose is to push Otzma Yehudit MK Yizhak Kroyzer out of the Knesset.

 Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Netanyahu proposes Fogel for intelligence minister, Smotrich opposes

Netanyahu proposed Fogel as intelligence minister, but Smotrich blocked it over coalition issues. The offer was intended to ease tensions between Ben-Gvir and Smotrich.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a press conference with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem. January 11, 2023.

Naftali Bennett's attack on Amit Segal could cost him politically - analysis

Bennett's strategy of maintaining silence was effective in the polls. However, the attack on popular Channel 12 journalist Amit Segal might change the course of his political future.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett

Is Israel likely to deteriorate into civil war? - opinion

Retired Supreme Court president Aharon Barak fears that Israel is headed toward civil war.

Israelis protest against Benjamin Netanyhahu's government in Jerusalem, March 23, 2025

First budget bills expected to pass into law overnight

The bills were expected to pass with a comfortable majority, following the return of MK Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party to the government.

 Finance Minister and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 3, 2025.

Knesset approves Ben-Gvir’s return to government, national security minister role

The Knesset is set to approve Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s reappointment despite legal challenges.

 Otzma Yehudit party head MK Itamar Ben Gvir leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on March 3, 2025.

Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir agree on return to gov't after Israel ends Gaza ceasefire

The announcement comes after Israel renewed strikes on Hamas and PIJ targets in the Gaza Strip. The attorney-general calls Ben-Gvir's reinstatement 'unlawful at this time.'

 Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, party heads and Ministers of his government attend a meeting on the planned state budget vote, in the Israeli parliament on May 23, 2023.

Ben-Gvir strikes budget compromise, abstains on first bill

The abstention means that the government now has a comfortable majority to pass the Economics Arrangements Bill on Wednesday.

 Otzma Yehudit party head MK Itamar Ben Gvir leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on March 3, 2025.

Far Right MK calls on Elon Musk to investigate US funds improperly used in Israeli affairs

Otzma Yehudit MK Yitzhak Kreuzer, with help from the Ad Kn organization, appealed to Musk via letter to investigate the distribution of USAID funds.

 Der designierte US-Präsident Donald Trump und Elon Musk beobachten den Start des sechsten Testflugs der SpaceX Starship-Rakete am 19. November 2024 in Brownsville, Texas.

'Joke of the Middle East': Ben-Gvir slams Netanyahu's policy on Gaza deal

“It’s not easy to stand up to the US president, but I would expect the prime minister to stand by our truth," he noted. 

  The man least suited for the job. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir