Government leaders
Israel's far-right supporters hold out hope for return to power
Itamar Ben Gvir, the far-right Israeli firebrand who achieved international notoriety as part of the outgoing government, fell short of expectations that he would gain ground in the latest election. But support remains. Under the blazing sun of Sderot, a southern city not far from the Gaza border, bakery employee Yaakov Peretz said he believed Ben Gvir would remain a central force. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "needs Ben Gvir by his side, strong and stable, with right-wing views", Peretz told AFP as he took a smoke break.