An overview of Israeli far-right extremism

The document analyzes the landscape of Israeli far-right extremism, identifying Kahanism as a foundational Jewish supremacist ideology that informs contemporary 'neo-Kahanist' political parties and violent groups. It details the activities of settler extremists, such as the Hilltop Youth, and the role of far-right parties like Otzma Yehudit and Noam within the current governing coalition. The report highlights a post-October 7 surge in anti-Palestinian sentiment, increased settler violence in the West Bank, and the ideological convergence between Israeli far-right extremists and global anti-migrant and anti-Muslim movements.

• Contemporary Israeli far-right extremism is heavily influenced by Kahanism, a Jewish supremacist ideology founded by Rabbi Meir Kahane. This ideology advocates for a state governed by an ultra-conservative interpretation of Jewish law, the expulsion of Palestinians and non-Jews, and the use of the state to achieve revenge.
• The 'Hilltop Youth' represent the vanguard of violent settler extremism, establishing outposts in the West Bank to intimidate Palestinians and claim territory. Despite their involvement in killings and attempts to overthrow the state, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have recruited from this movement since 2020.
• Far-right parties have moved from the political periphery to the center of power, with the 'Religious Zionism' alliance (comprising Otzma Yehudit, the National Religious – Religious Zionist party, and Noam) winning 10.8 percent of the vote in 2022 and securing 14 Knesset seats.
• Key political figures in the current government have histories of extremism; Itamar Ben Gvir was convicted of incitement to racism and supporting a terrorist organization in 2007, while Bezalel Smotrich was detained in 2005 for terrorist offences related to the Gaza disengagement.
• Extremist groups such as Lehava and La Familia engage in targeted violence and hate speech. Lehava focuses on preventing 'assimilation' between Jewish women and Arabs, while La Familia, originating as a football fan club, has been involved in the kidnap and murder of a Palestinian teenager.
• Following the October 7, 2023 attacks, there has been a significant increase in far-right activity, including the normalisation of anti-Palestinian rhetoric and a surge in settler violence. Between October 2023 and September 2024, over 1,600 Palestinians were displaced by settler extremist violence, with at least 21 killed and 650 injured.
• Israeli far-right extremism is increasingly interconnected with global far-right movements. Ideological cross-fertilisation is occurring between Jewish extremist groups and anti-migrant, anti-Muslim organisations such as the English Defence League (EDL) in the UK and the Soldiers of Odin Canada.

APA

Institute for Strategic Dialogue (2025). An overview of Israeli far-right extremism. https://www.isdglobal.org/digital-dispatch/an-overview-of-israeli-far-right-extremism/

Chicago

Institute for Strategic Dialogue. An overview of Israeli far-right extremism. 2025. https://www.isdglobal.org/digital-dispatch/an-overview-of-israeli-far-right-extremism/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Strategic Dialogue |title=An overview of Israeli far-right extremism |date=10 January 2025 |url=https://www.isdglobal.org/digital-dispatch/an-overview-of-israeli-far-right-extremism/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforstrategicdialogue2025overview, author = {{Institute for Strategic Dialogue}}, title = {{An overview of Israeli far-right extremism}}, institution = {Institute for Strategic Dialogue}, year = {2025}, month = jan, url = {https://www.isdglobal.org/digital-dispatch/an-overview-of-israeli-far-right-extremism/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }