By The Daily Caller (U.S.) | Created at 2026-09-23 20:06:49 | Updated at 2026-09-25 01:23:06
1 day ago
Israel’s extremist National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, said Tuesday that he would demand the defense minister post for the next Knesset term after the upcoming elections in October.
Ben-Gvir told reporters at a press conference that “it is time for someone from outside who is not bound by the old conceptions,” and that he wants to change the Israel Defense Forces’ rules of engagement in Gaza and Lebanon, according to Haaretz. (RELATED: Top Israeli Official Openly Calls For Genocide As US Seeks Peace: ‘All Of Lebanon Must Burn’)
“I want us to be in a situation where, if stones and Molotov cocktails are thrown at our soldiers, they shoot,” he reportedly said.
Ben-Gvir has a long history of using extremist rhetoric to support Israel’s illegal occupations of the West Bank and parts of Southern Lebanon, and the country’s destruction of Gaza after Oct. 7.
As the U.S. tried to end the Iran War in June with a Memorandum of Understanding, he openly called for genocide in Lebanon.
“For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep,” he said. “All of Lebanon must burn! With all due respect to the Americans, Israel must make it clear to the entire world that the blood of our sons and the security of our citizens are not forfeit. All of Lebanon must burn.”
During an August podcast appearance, Ben-Gvir advocated for killing dozens of Palestinians every night and said they deserve to die because they are not human, according to The Associated Press.
“I think targeted assassinations should be carried out in Gaza, taking down 30 to 40 every night,” he said. “Not just those who pose an immediate threat — there are people there who are not worthy of life. They shouldn’t live. They’re not even people.” (RELATED: Vance Fires Back At Israeli Cabinet Members Targeting Trump Over Iran Deal)
In November 2023, Ben-Gvir reportedly stated that “when they say that Hamas needs to be eliminated, it also means those who sing, those who support and those who distribute candy, all of these are terrorists.”
Ben-Gvir previously praised Meir Kahane, whose Kach party was banned in Israel as racist and designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., as a “holy man” and “hero.” For years, Ben-Gvir also displayed a portrait of Baruch Goldstein, who murdered 29 Palestinian worshippers in Hebron in 1994.
Ahead of the October elections, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tried to unify and consolidate right-wing parties and smaller factions, including Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power party, to salvage his coalition’s chances of winning, according to Reuters. Ben-Gvir has opposed the effort so far, but he could change his mind if Netanyahu promises him the defense minister job.
