The Political Indispensability of Itamar Ben-Gvir
Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir continues to challenge international norms and domestic legal standards, most recently through public declarations advocating for the mass execution of Palestinians in Gaza. In a recent podcast, Ben-Gvir suggested that Israel should carry out targeted killings of “30 to 40 people every night,” claiming that those in Gaza “aren’t even human beings.” These remarks, which contradict official Israeli assertions regarding military conduct, arrive alongside his active promotion of a state-sanctioned death penalty for those convicted of terrorism.
Despite significant criticism from global leaders and domestic human rights groups, Ben-Gvir remains a cornerstone of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition. The political survival of the Likud-led government depends on the parliamentary support of Ben-Gvir’s far-right party, Otzma Yehudit. Analyst Shmuel Rosner has noted that the ideological gap between Likud and Otzma Yehudit has narrowed significantly, suggesting that Netanyahu’s political future is inextricably linked to the policies championed by his national security minister.
Legislative and Institutional Shifts
In March 2026, the Knesset passed a controversial law championed by Ben-Gvir that introduces the death penalty specifically for individuals convicted of terrorism. The law has been criticized by all 27 European Union member states and numerous human rights organizations for creating a discriminatory legal framework that applies solely to Palestinians. Ben-Gvir has amplified the legislative change with performative displays, including the publicizing of a construction site for gallows and a spectator grandstand, framing these as symbols of his political platform.
Within the detention system, reports from the Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs describe a systemic deterioration of conditions. Detainees at facilities such as Gannot Prison have reported routine beatings, extreme overcrowding—often forcing detainees to sleep on the floor—and the systematic denial of adequate medical care and hygiene supplies. Human rights organization B’Tselem has characterized the system under Ben-Gvir’s oversight as a “network of torture facilities.”
A History of Controversy
Ben-Gvir’s political trajectory is marked by decades of extremist activism and legal entanglements. Before entering the Knesset, he was charged dozens of times for offenses including rioting, vandalism, and incitement to racism, resulting in eight convictions. Although Israeli law prohibits individuals who “incite racism” from running for office, the Supreme Court dismissed challenges to his candidacy in previous cycles, ruling that his behavior had sufficiently moderated. His past includes the open glorification of Baruch Goldstein, the perpetrator of the 1994 Hebron massacre, whose photograph Ben-Gvir displayed in his home until 2020.
As the government faces ongoing legal scrutiny regarding his policies, Prime Minister Netanyahu has resisted calls for Ben-Gvir’s dismissal, citing a lack of legal basis and prioritizing coalition stability. With elections approaching, observers expect the minister to continue his aggressive public stance, as he views these controversial policies as key to maintaining his electoral base.