Key facts
- Supporters of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir distributed gun-shaped keyrings to students at Blich High School in Ramat Gan.
- The keyrings featured the slogan "Guns Save Lives" and images of Ben Gvir holding a gun.
- Otzma Yehudit defended the distribution as a way to promote Ben Gvir's weapons reform policies.
- Activists from rival parties reported shouting, physical altercations, and disruptions during the mock election event.
- In the school's mock election, Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party won with 32.2% of the vote.
- Ben Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party received 9.4% of the vote in the mock election.
Supporters of Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir distributed gun-shaped keyrings to students at Blich High School in Ramat Gan on Thursday during a mock election event. The keyrings, which also function as bottle openers, were emblazoned with the words "Guns Save Lives" and featured images of Ben Gvir holding a gun, according to reports by Haaretz.
Supporters of Ben Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party also attempted to distribute noose-shaped keyrings but were prevented by the school's headmaster. Otzma Yehudit defended the distribution, stating it was "glad to make accessible to the younger generation in schools the importance of Minister Ben Gvir's weapons reform through innovative and special ideas."
The event, part of the school's tradition of mock elections for 11th and 12th graders ahead of national elections, reportedly devolved into disorder. Students and activists described shouting, physical altercations, and disruptions. Activists from the Jewish left-wing Democrats party told Haaretz that Otzma Yehudit supporters shoved and cursed at them. Knesset member Gilad Kariv stated on X that bottles were thrown at the stage by Ben Gvir's supporters, but that Netanyahu's bloc lost the mock elections.
Merav Ben Ari, a Knesset member from the centre-right Together party, also reported aggressive behavior from Ben Gvir supporters, stating they threw a cup at her and screamed at her. She added that the distribution of gun-shaped keyrings and noose-shaped pins did not translate into majority support for Ben Gvir among the students.
In the mock vote, Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party secured first place with 32.2% of the vote. Naftali Bennett's Together party came second with 22.4%, and Netanyahu's Likud party was third with 15.5%. Otzma Yehudit placed fourth with 9.4%, followed by the Democrats with 7.1%. The new far-right Amcha Yisrael party received 3.6% of the votes.
The school's headmaster emphasized the importance of civic education for pluralism, tolerance, and respectful disagreement. The mock election occurred as young Israeli voters prepare for their first national election since the Gaza war began in October 2023. Research indicates high levels of anti-Palestinian sentiment among young Israelis, with some supporting the exclusion of Palestinian citizens from Israeli society.