Far-right surge among first-time voters threatens to reshape Israel's election as Gantz exits the race

With Israelis heading to the polls on 27 October, far-right parties are finding fertile ground among young and first-time voters, with Itamar Ben-Gvir poised for significant gains, even as opposition leaders welcome Benny Gantz's recent withdrawal from the race and overseas ballots loom as a potential swing factor. Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar Party, called Gantz's decision 'correct and responsible'. Foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar urged smaller right-wing parties to follow suit.

Bezalel Smotrich warned that a fragmented right-wing vote could produce a government reliant on Arab parties.

Ofer Winter's People of Israel Party rebuffed pressure to withdraw from the contest.

A Channel 12 poll puts Eisenkot's Yashar on 24 seats and Netanyahu's Likud on 21.

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