Free Republic

The European Union announced Monday that it has cancelled plans to mark Europe Day in Israel, after the Israeli government selected National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (Otzma Yehudit) to represent the Jewish state. In a statement released by the European Union’s mission to Israel, the EU said it would not “offer a platform” to someone with values antithesis to those of the 27-member union. “The EU Delegation to Israel is looking forward to celebrating Europe Day on May 9, as it does every year. Regrettably, this year we have decided to cancel the diplomatic reception, as we do not want...

The coalition negotiations: Ben Gvir will ask to include in the agreements a death penalty law for terrorists Moran Azoulai, November 14, 2022 The chairman of Otzma Yehudit Itamar Ben Gvir is expected today (Monday) to request the death penalty law for terrorists as a clause in the coalition agreements. The law has been on and off the agenda from time to time due to elements that took part in the coalition and opposed it. Now, in the emerging right-wing government, there seems to be a clear majority for the law. However, it is not clear how motivated the Likud...

The first speaker at the event was the chairman of the Otzma Yehudit party, MK Itamar Ben Gvir. In his speech Ben Gvir emphasized that he respects R' Kahane who was a great lover of Israel but at the same time disagrees with all his opinions regarding the expulsion of Arabs and separate sea shores. He was booed when he said that he did not agree with parts of R' Kahana's teachings. "It is no secret that today I am not R' Kahane and I do not support the deportation of all Arabs, and I will not enact laws for...

[0404.co.il/?p=846085] MK Ben Gvir: "I will work to explain the positions of Otzma Yehudit in the entire world" News 0404, 09/11/2022 The chairman of Otzma Yehudit, MK Itamar Ben Gvir, referred to the audio segment in which Herzog was talking about when he thought the microphones had been turned off. "President Yitzhak Herzog and I have had many fruitful conversations in recent weeks. More than once he has pointed out to the president that the close familiarity with my views and plans has succeeded in swaying hundreds of thousands in Israel and that he is confident that if I speak...

Biden Admin. reportedly concerned Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir will be given important ministries in the Netanyahu govt. The Biden Administration is concerned that Benjamin Netanyahu will appoint Religious Zionism party chairman MK Bezalel Smotrich as Israel's next Defense Minister, journalist Barak Ravid reported for Axios. Smotrich had been seeking the Finance Ministry, but stated his willingness to allow the Shas party to be given that ministry if he receives the Defense Ministry in its place. The US Administration is reported concerned about Smotrich's hardline positions on Judea and Samaria and how Israel should respond to terrorism, as well as...

Facts about Itamar Ben Gvir:He is of Kurdish and Sephardic background. Non-White.Some 15 years ago he was still a follower of M. Kahana.In recent years, he denounced it and stated he is moderate. Saying goodbye to the extreme right: Ben Gviir in a letter to activists. [Otzma-Yehudit Chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir Shager Evening Letters: "Baruch Marzel and Michael Ben Ari are no longer active (at my party). I do not advocate the "Kach" (M. Kahana) ideology. — Srugim, Aug 30, 2022 | Chairman of Otzma Yehudit Itamar Ben Gvir sent a letter to the activists this evening...*He said he is...

Otzma Yehudit chairman MK Itamar Ben-Gvir pushed back Tuesday on criticism by New Jersey Senator and veteran Democratic lawmaker Robert Menendez, dismissing accusations of racism. According to a report last week by Axios, Senator Menendez warned Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu last month not to include “right-wing extremists” in any future coalition government. Menendez specifically demanded that Netanyahu not include MK Ben-Gvir in a new government, adding that doing so would harm relations between Israel and the US. Two sources familiar with the meeting said that during the September 5th meeting, Menendez "raised his concerns" about Netanyahu's political partners, specifically mentioning...

Labor activists call sign which contains pictures of Arab politicians and the phrase 'May our adversaries be removed' 'racist and violent' Labor party activists, led by Ramat Gan deputy mayor attorney Roy Barzilai, submitted a complaint to the police against an Otzma Yehudit party campaign billboard which they call "racist and violent." The sign contains pictures of Arab politicians and the phrase "May our adversaries be removed," referring to the prayer with those words recited on Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year). The complaint cites that the billboard violates article 144 of the penal code, which prohibits incitement of racism and...

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has not ruled out sitting with MKs Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud), Bezalel Smotrich (Religious Zionism), and Itamar Ben Gvir (Otzma Yehudit), but opposes the formation for a "fully" right-wing government. In an interview with Channel 13 News, Bennett said, "A fully right-wing government, in the current sense, is, in my eyes, a disaster, because it does not have the balances." He added, "Netanyahu, Bezalel, and Ben Gvir...in a different constellation, can be fine, but a government trapped in the hands of the extreme is horrible and awful, even if it is the other side." .....

As The Daily Wire has reported before, Israeli Prime Minister faces next week what is likely his toughest election yet. For starters, as The Daily Wire reported in February, he is now under formal indictment: On Thursday, Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced that his office would be formally indicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on one count of bribery and two counts of fraud and breach of trust. The indictments pertain to three different cases that spanned two years of investigations. The timing of the indictments gives off the perception of potential political motivation — Israel will hold national...

The new Blue and White alliance of Benny Gantz’s Israel Resilience party and Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid faction would become the largest party in the Knesset if new elections were held today, a new poll shows – but the right-wing – religious bloc would retain a narrow majority. According to the poll, conducted by Maagar Mohot and published by i24NEWS and Israel Hayom Sunday evening, if new elections were held today, the Blue and White party of Gantz and Lapid would win 36 mandates. The Likud, by contrast, would gain a single mandate over its 2015 performance, winning a total...