Otzma Yehudit targets disappointed Likud, Shas voters ahead of election

Otzma Yehudit is targeting disillusioned Likud voters and a portion of Shas's usual supporters as the election approaches. The party sees an opportunity to appeal to a diverse crowd, including haredim, religious, traditional, secular Israelis, and combat soldiers. Otzma Yehudit believes they can win votes from right-wing voters who were hesitant to back lists that might not meet the electoral threshold in recent elections.

In parallel, the party is preparing a campaign against the idea of forming a broad government after the election. This is not a personal attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but an attempt to spark debate within the Right about the next government's composition. Otzma Yehudit also anticipates that there will be resistance to a broad government from within Likud's ranks, which could apply pressure on Netanyahu from within his own party.

The dissatisfaction among some Likud voters, particularly after the primaries, has made this a prime time for other right-wing parties to try to win over those voters. According to political assessments, this potential voting bloc could secure several Knesset seats, although there is currently no precise polling data to confirm this.

Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter, who is forming a party, is also eyeing this same electorate. Even before the Likud primaries, four senior figures in Otzma Yehudit, including four ministers and four MKs, approached him to join the party, drawn by its strong polling numbers. However, Ben-Gvir clarified that while he wished Likud well, Otzma Yehudit and Likud remain distinct entities.