- Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s National Security Minister shared a video of soldiers were performing Jewish rituals in a West Bank mosque.
- Ben-Gvir’s far-right affiliations and controversial history, including criminal convictions and extreme views, have fueled criticism and scrutiny.
The IDF desecrate a Mosque in Jenin: Ben Gvir celebrates
Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir shared a video showing IDF soldiers engaging in Jewish rituals within a mosque in the West Bank city of Jenin. Simultaneously, the Israeli army initiated a military operation in the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, resulting in the reported death of at least 11 Palestinians since Tuesday, as conveyed by the Palestinian Health Ministry.
On his Telegram account, Ben-Gvir captioned the video, declaring, “A prayer performed by our heroic soldiers in a mosque in Jenin.”
“A prayer performed by our heroic soldiers in a mosque in Jenin,” Ben-Gvir wrote on his Telegram account.
The video shows an Israeli soldier reciting the Shema Yisrael prayer throughout the mosque’s loudspeaker. Another soldier is heard saying that the soldiers are inside a mosque in Jenin.
No further details were provided about the exact location of the masjid.
Pictured: IDF soldiers storm mosque
Who is Ben-Gvir?
Itamar Ben-Gvir, who assumed office in the Knesset in 2021, used to lead a party known as Otzma Yehudit, or Jewish Power. His influential figure and ideological inspiration have long been Meir Kahane, a Brooklyn rabbi who relocated to Israel in 1971.
Kahane contended that “the idea of a democratic Jewish state is nonsense.” According to his perspective, demographic shifts would inevitably make Israel’s non-Jewish population the majority, advocating for the “immediate transfer of the Arabs.” Kahane’s called Arabs “dogs” who “must sit quietly or get the hell out.”
His political party, Kach (Thus), faced parliamentary exclusion in 1988. Jewish Power represents an ideological successor to Kach, with Ben-Gvir previously serving as a Kach youth leader and expressing veneration for Kahane as a “saint.”
Ben Gvir’s Countless Atrocities
At forty-six years old, Ben-Gvir has faced convictions on a minimum of eight charges, such as supporting a terrorist organisation and incitement to racism. His extensive criminal record was notable enough that during a court appearance, there was a need to replenish the printer ink.
In 2015, a Palestinian home was targeted in an arson attack, resulting in the tragic death of 18-month-old Ali Saad and causing injuries to the rest of his family, who were subsequently hospitalised.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un
Ben Gvir was subsequently recorded rejoicing with Israeli settlers as they set fire to and attacked depictions of the 18-month-old child who tragically died.
He called for the elimination of Hamas and proposed punitive measures for those supporting, singing for, or distributing sweets in support of the organisation.
He advocated for imposing the death penalty on Palestinians held in Israeli jails, categorizing them universally as terrorists, devoid of any legal trial and any evidence.
In addition, the IDF was deployed to dismantle a business owned by an Israeli woman, subsequently compelling her to pose for a photograph in front of an Israeli flag. Gvir has shared this image on his social media.
Ben Gvir played a vital role in advancing the expansion of Israeli colonial settlements
In 2018 there was a huge spike in the number of Israeli settlers. Givir had a huge hand to play in this.
According to the UN there are 700,000 settlers in the West Bank today.
Biden’s comments on Ben Givr
Joe Biden at a Campaign Reception, December 12, 2023 asserts:
You know, Ben-Gvir is not what you would call someone who — this is the most conservative government in Israel’s history — the most conservative. I’ve known every, every, every single head of state in Israel since Golda Meir. And I’ve known them because I’ve spent time with them many times. And this is a different group. Ben-Gvir and company and the new folks, they — they don’t want anything remotely approaching a two-state solution. They not only want to have re- — retribution, which they should for what the Palestinian — Hamas did, but against all Palestinians. They don’t want a two-state solution. They don’t want any- — anything having to with the — the Palestinians.
With individuals such as Ben Gvir, involved in the decision-making process in Israel and advocating for the relentless bombardment of Palestinians, the international community must act swiftly.
