Itamar Ben-Gvir is an Israeli lawyer and lawmaker who is the head of the far-right Otzma Yehudit Party. He currently serves as the country's national security minister.
Though born in Mevaseret Zion near Jerusalem, Ben-Gvir now resides as a settler in Hebron in the West Bank and has made several controversial trips to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. He has faced numerous charges of hate speech and was convicted of supporting the terrorist group Kach, the party founded by extremist Rabbi Meir Kahane. He remains an incredibly divisive figure in Israeli politics to this day.
A News 13 poll indicates National Unity Party led by Benny Gantz wins 30 seats if elections held today. Likud strengthens slightly; Yesh Atid receives 15 seats.
The report, which runs 103 pages, details intentional efforts by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to worsen conditions for security prisoners, and the denial of visits by the Red Cross.
Israeli deterrence in Iran is absent, while Iranian deterrence in Israel is strong. This is what Netanyahu might say as an opposition leader.
After the Iranian attack on Israel on Sunday, Ben-Gvir tweeted, "Impressive defense until now – now there must be a crushing attack."
Ben-Gvir responded in bold letters, "I understand that you are busy flattering the attorney general – maybe one day you will be appointed a judge – but the truth cannot be concealed.
According to his spokesperson, this will be to watch activists who "cause instability in the region."
The seemingly inconsequential spat between the two parties touched on simmering political tensions on additional issues such as the haredi exemption from IDF service.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for a "crushing attack" on Iran, while MK Merav Michaeli argued that Israel should utilize the event to strike a hostage deal with Hamas.
If Netanyahu and the IDF want to intimidate Hamas into a better hostage deal, and that deal does not come from US pressure, it will require more action, and fewer words.
This time around, Ben-Gvir may condition his remaining in the government after a hostage deal on a commitment by Netanyahu to push through Peled's appointment regardless of the National Unity veto.
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