Otzma Yehudit chair Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir addressed the chareidi media in a special statement, warning of what he called a "worrying phenomenon" in the chareidi sector ahead of the upcoming elections.
Speaking alongside chareidi candidate Yossi Goldberger, number nine on the Otzma Yehudit list, Ben-Gvir presented findings from internal polling conducted in the chareidi community. According to the data, voters representing between one-and-a-half and two mandates plan to vote for parties that will not cross the electoral threshold. In addition, tens of thousands of chareidi voters do not intend to vote at all.
"My chareidi brothers, shavua tov. In the in-depth polls conducted within the chareidi sector, we are seeing a worrying phenomenon," Ben-Gvir said. "There are between one-and-a-half and two mandates of chareidi people who intend to vote for parties that will not pass the threshold. There are tens of thousands more chareidim who do not intend to vote at all."
Ben-Gvir framed the issue in political terms, calling on voters: "Therefore I am calling on you: do not give a gift to Gali Baharav-Miara!"
Addressing voters disappointed with the chareidi parties, he said: "If you are disappointed with the chareidi parties, vote Otzma Yehudit. Beis and another beis and another beis, in order to oust Gali Baharav-Miara, not to give her a gift."
Alongside the statement, Otzma Yehudit has established a special unit focused on the issue of lost votes in the chareidi sector. Minister Ben-Gvir appointed chareidi candidate Yossi Goldberger, number nine on the party list, to head the unit.
The party emphasized that the unit's goal is to reach potential voters who are considering voting for parties that will not cross the threshold or staying home on election day. Ben-Gvir stressed that his intention is not to "drink" votes from the chareidi parties, but rather to appeal to voters planning to back small parties or not vote at all.
As part of the unit's activities, house meetings and personal meetings with voters have been held, as part of the party's campaign efforts ahead of the elections.
"Otzma Yehudit clarifies that it does not intend to appeal to those who heed their rabbis' instructions and vote for the chareidi parties, but only to voters disappointed with the chareidi parties who are considering voting for parties that will not pass the threshold or staying home on election day."
