Ultranationalist Ben Gvir supports far-right soldier
Soon-to-be National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is already inciting against IDF top brass, criticizing them for punishing a soldier who clashed with left-wing protesters.
TEL AVIV — Jewish Power leader Itamar Ben Gvir has yet to take over the Ministry of National Security, as per the coalition agreement he signed with Prime Minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu. Nevertheless, he is already attempting to take control over a Nov. 25 incident involving IDF soldiers in Hebron, who clashed with a group of leftwing activists.
One soldier was filmed pushing members of the group, who were visiting the city and meeting with some Arab families, telling them that, “Ben Gvir will restore order here,” and “Watch out, leftists. I’m going to tear you apart.” At the same incident, one leftwing activist was hit in the face, grabbed, and knocked to the ground by another soldier.
The soldier responsible for the physical altercation is now being questioned by the military police. The soldier involved in the verbal altercation was sentenced by his battalion commander to ten days in military prison.
IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi was quick to condemn the soldiers’ behavior. In a special missive sent to the troops this weekend, he wrote, “Any incident of physical or verbal violence on the part of IDF soldiers is against the values of the IDF and its orders.”
