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| Otzma Yehudit chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir (VIN) |
He is known for defending Jewish radicals on trial in Israel (and) has called for the expulsion of Arab citizens of Israel who are not loyal to Israel.
He has also done his own share of inciting Palestinian violence.
His political philosophy seems to approximate that of the late Rabbi Meir Kahane. Whose party, Kach, was banned from running for the Keneset (Israel’s parliament) – deeming it to be racist for similar views. Ben-Gvir was in fact a member of Kach youth. However although Rabbi Kahane and his party were banned, Ben-Gvir and his party were not. He is currently a sitting Keneset member.
What makes this significant now is a story reported by VIN. According to a poll taken recently in Israel by Chanel 13 News, Ben-Gvir’s popularity has soared to the point that if he were to lead the Religious Zionist Party, it would increase its Keneset representnation to 13 seats! That would make it the 3rd largest party in Israel behind Netanyahu’s Likud (32 seats) and Lapid’s Yesh Atid (22 seats). Shas would get 8 seats and UTJ (the Charedi block) 7. That would make Ben-Gvir - currently a marginal player into a powerful player in the next Keneset.
I do not personally have an issue with Religious Zionism. But if their desire for power makes them choose Ben-Gvir its head, it does not bode well for Israel’s reputation as a democracy that treats all its people the same way. it instead would support the accusations made by all of Israel’s enemies and critics about being an Apartheid state. How could it not?! ...if one of its most powerful politicians wants to expel Arab citizens that disagree with Israel’s policies? In what way would Israel benefit by a leader who thinks that inciting Palestinian violence is a patriotic act?
But that is nothing compared to what else is possible. Violence against Palestinains by some of the hard core settler types will at best be overlooked if not outright praised as some sort of patriotic act. Mass murderer, Baruch Goldstein and Rabin assassin, Yigal Amir will be elevated to hero status for their ‘patriotic’ acts. Ben-Gvir’s ascension to any kind of leadership position would surely inspire even more violence by people like that. As if we didn’t have enough of that already. That will in turn generate more violence against Israelis by Palestinian terrorists. And more Jews will be killed as a result - God forbid!
I think I understand why Ben-Gvir’s popularity is on the rise. A lot of Israelis are simply tired of constantly looking over their shoulder. They are tired of the very real prospect of being attacked by Palestinian terrorists in the West Bank – which is happening with alarming frequency.
They are tired of their country being accused of Apartheid for simply trying to protect itself from terrorism. They want to live in peace and not have to worry so much about those things anymore. And they see hope in the hard line approach of an extremist who promises to ‘get rid of the problem’ once and for all - and not caring what the world thinks.
I get it. I don't blame people who see salvation in a man that promises to rid them of a decades long, life threatening problem, that has not been anywhere near solved by conventional politicians. Seeking to change from an approach that has never worked to another one that might - is surely a tantalizing prospect.
But that does not make Ben-Gvir’s approach right. Nor does it even make it particularly effective – even if he could somehow pull it off. By doing something drastic like expelling Israeli Arab dissidents, he will be raising the ire of the entire free world. Now it’s true that it doesn’t take much for Europe to have its ire raised agianst Israel. But Israel’s most powerful and imporant ally, the United sates will be just as condemning of it as Europe will. Israel cannot afford to lose American support.
Most important of all, however, is that expelling Arab dissidents is both immoral and unethical. Especially in a democracy like Israel.
I hope this poll is wrong. Because it it is right, I fear that the power hungry politicians of Religious Zionist party will sell their soul to the devil in order to get it. Which in my view would have tragic consequences for Israelis and by extension all Jewry.