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*With information from AFP and EFE
Itamar Ben Gvir is one of the most controversial figures in Israeli politics. At 50 years old, he holds the position of Israel's Minister of National Security and is the leader of Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power), a far-right party. His political trajectory, his positions against Palestinians, and his provocative statements have made him one of the most polarizing figures in Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
Ben Gvir's profile returned to international headlines after he publicly called for carrying out targeted killings of between 30 and 40 people every night in Gaza. His statements provoked strong condemnation from the German government, whose Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, described them as contrary to human dignity and international law.
Who is Itamar Ben Gvir?
Ben Gvir was born into a lower-middle-class family in Mevasseret Zion, a suburb of Jerusalem. As a teenager, he became involved with the movement of Rabbi Meir Kahane, founder of the Kach party, a group that was later banned and designated as a terrorist organization by Israel.
According to profiles of his career, Ben Gvir did not perform military service due to his ties to that movement. His youth was marked by his political activism and his radical positions, which kept him away from the main power circles in Israel for years.
His career has also been linked to various legal proceedings. In 2007, he was convicted of incitement to racism and support for a terrorist organization. Later, he studied law and worked as a lawyer, an activity from which he became a figure linked to sectors of the Israeli settler right.
Ben Gvir and his entry into the Netanyahu government
The politician is the leader of Otzma Yehudit, a far-right group that increased its electoral weight during the 2022 Israeli elections. Its alliance with other religious right-wing parties contributed to Benjamin Netanyahu's return to the office of Prime Minister.
In December 2022, Ben Gvir took office as Israel's Minister of National Security, a position from which he has responsibilities over the Israeli Police and the prison system, among other areas.
From the government, he has defended hard-line policies against Palestinians and has supported the expansion of Israeli settlements. He has also pushed for measures related to security, gun ownership, and the conditions of incarcerated Palestinians.
Why is Ben Gvir so controversial?
Ben Gvir's political career has been marked by statements and acts that have provoked criticism inside and outside of Israel.
Among the episodes noted by AFP profiles are his public celebration of the approval of a death penalty law aimed at Palestinians convicted of certain crimes and the circulation of images related to a cake decorated with a noose.
He has also made public visits to prison facilities where Palestinians are detained and has defended particularly harsh positions on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.
Ben Gvir has also backed proposals to promote the mass migration of Palestinians from Gaza and the establishment of Jewish settlements in the Strip, positions that have generated strong international criticism.
¿What did Ben Gvir say about Gaza?
Last Sunday, during a podcast published with Rom Braslavski, who was a Hamas hostage in Gaza, Ben Gvir called for carrying out targeted killings in the Strip.
The minister said that between 30 and 40 people should be eliminated every night, and maintained that the measure should not be limited to those who pose an immediate threat.
In his statements, Ben Gvir asserted that there were people in Gaza who, in his opinion, “do not deserve to live” and added that “they are not people.”
His words sparked new international criticism due to the gravity of his call and the position he holds within the Israeli government.
Friedrich Merz condemns Ben Gvir's statements
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the Israeli minister's statements. His deputy spokesperson, Sebastian Hille, stated during a press conference in Berlin that the Chancellor strongly rejected Ben Gvir's calls, considering them contrary to human dignity and international law.
Hille avoided specifying what measures Germany might support or whether Merz would be willing to support sanctions against Ben Gvir. He explained that the matter would be addressed at the next meeting of European Foreign Ministers in Gymnich format.
The spokesperson also neither confirmed nor denied whether Merz or German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul had held recent contacts with their Israeli counterparts.
Germany also questions Israeli settlements
During the press conference, Hille reiterated Merz's concern over the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and noted that the Chancellor has conveyed this position to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both publicly and in personal conversations.
“There should be no steps toward annexation, neither formal nor political,” stressed Hille, who also pointed out that Israel, as an occupying power, must treat Palestinians with dignity and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Germany also maintains its support for a two-state solution, while reaffirming its support for Israel's right to exist and ensure its security.
[Publicidad]