Ben-Gvir Haredi Adviser Declines Knesset Seat Offer

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who chairs the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, offered his senior adviser Ariel Elharar a realistic position on the party's list for the upcoming Knesset elections. Elharar, who serves as the minister's communications adviser and leads the party's public relations and advocacy operations, thanked Ben-Gvir for his confidence but declined the offer.

"The upcoming election campaign is critical for Otzma Yehudit and the right-wing bloc," Elharar said. "Especially during this period, facing media that repeatedly tries to diminish and obscure the minister's and the party's achievements, a strong communications and advocacy operation is particularly vital. Therefore, I asked to continue in my mission and focus on Otzma Yehudit's success in the upcoming elections."

Elharar has served in recent years as Ben-Gvir's senior communications adviser and has earned considerable trust among the party's leadership. He has directed Otzma Yehudit's communications and advocacy apparatus during a turbulent period, as both the party and the minister have remained at the center of public attention.

Ben-Gvir's offer to Elharar reflected the minister's high regard for his adviser and his desire to strengthen the party list with familiar figures who bring experience. Nevertheless, Elharar chose to remain in his current position and continue leading the party's communications operations heading into the election campaign.

In recent days, Otzma Yehudit finalized its Knesst list composition. Ben-Gvir announced that Knesset Member Tally Gotliv would join the list in second place, after Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf voluntarily offered to relinquish his spot for her. Additionally, for the first time, a haredi representative was placed on the party list—activist Yossi Goldberger in ninth position.

Elharar, who is married with four children, is known as a veteran communications professional in the haredi world. He has previously published opinion columns on Kikar Hashabat covering various topics, including calls for haredim to carry weapons and confront terror threats, as well as strong positions on security and political issues.

Elharar's refusal of Ben-Gvir's offer demonstrates his commitment to his current role and his understanding of the importance of a robust communications operation ahead of the election campaign.