// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
Why Israeli Gen Z voters are drawn to the far right
Far-right minister Ben Gvir (left) has significant support among Israeli youth
When Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, reached voting age, he was rejected from Israel's army for being too politically extreme.
His views have not changed much in the 30 years since then - but Israel has. Once shunned by the political establishment, he is now part of the government's inner sanctum of ministers.
On the campaign trail ahead of Israel's general elections next week, Ben Gvir is often surrounded by a jubilant pack of fresh-faced young fans, waving huge party flags over the heads of his numerous security guards.
At the covered market in Ramle - a mixed city of Jewish and Arab Israelis - he told us his message to young voters was to get out and vote.
"We see the support, we see the love [and] we want to win!" he said.
Nadav, 18, believes Ben Gvir is "trying to show that Israel is a strong country"
More than half a million first-time voters will cast their ballots in this election, which many Israelis see as existential for Israel's future security and identity.
Polls suggest it will be a tight race, and the new young voters could help decide the result.
More than 16% are planning to support far-right parties - either Ben Gvir's Jewish Power or the Religious Zionism party of his far-right ally Bezalel Smotrich - according to a poll for one of Israel's most popular newspapers, Yedioth Ahronoth.