The chairman of “Otzma Yehudit” Itamar Ben Gvir was booed on Thursday by those present at the memorial service for the slain controversial Rabbi who was banned from the Knesset due to his extremist views, Meir Kahane after Ben Gvir said in his speech that he did not agree with some of Kahane's teachings.
Hours before the ceremony, Ben Gvir published the speech he gave at the event, in which he noted Kahane's great love for Israel, but at the same time also emphasized his disagreement with Kahane on a number of different issues.
"I was a teenager and I also grew up, and since I was 16 years old, every year I came to the memorial here to honor and recognize those who were murdered for the sanctification of God. Those who worked for the Jews of the Soviet Union and took care to open the Iron Curtain, those who fought anti-Semitism against Jews in the United States and worked to enact a death penalty law to the terrorists."
⭕️ Kahana Memorial: Ben Gvir is booed as he says “today I’m not Rav Kahana and I don’t support expelling all the Arabs. And won’t make laws to create apartheid” pic.twitter.com/KSpBctds7c
— Chaim • חיים (@ChaimSmierc) November 10, 2022
Ben Gvir then continued to speak of Kahane’s influence on him: "I owe it to Rabbi Kahane that I repented and began studying at the yeshiva he founded. Although this happened after he was murdered and unfortunately I did not get to know him, I was privileged to study his writings and lessons and to be in a yeshiva with a lot of love for everyone.”
Israelis: Looking for video of Itamar Ben Gvir's speech at the Kahane memorial. This is the Kan link but it can't be viewed outside Israel. Can you help me get access to it?https://t.co/tqTBFUcpxu
— Tikun Olam (@richards1052) November 11, 2022
"It's no secret that today I'm not like Rabbi Kahane and I don't support the deportation of all Arabs, and I won't enact laws for separate seashores, although of course, we will act to expel terrorists from the country and for building more Jewish communities and Jewish identity. But it seems to me that the crowning glory of Rabbi Kahane was love. The love for Israel without exception, without compromise, without any other consideration." The remarks were met with a chorus of boos from the crowd who believe that Israel should expel all Arabs, not simply the ones who partake in terror. This was a marked difference from the cheers he received on the campaign trail, and many see his remarks yesterday as a sign of appeasement to world leaders who are concerned about his views.
Israeli Pres Herzog caught on hot mike warning Shas reps about Itamar Ben Gvir: "You'll have a problem with the Temple Mount. Its a critical issue. The whole world around us is anxious about this partner. Between us, I also told him this. Between us."(Ben Gvir must have loved it) pic.twitter.com/g8elBIGEj9
— Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) November 9, 2022
President Herzog was caught on a hot microphone Wednesday saying that Ben Gvir is making global leaders nervous. It was reported yesterday that Herzog told Ben Gvir to tone it down and reach out to some leaders to start a dialogue so they can be assured of his intentions in government.
Asked about Itamar Ben Gvir's attendance at today's Kahane Chai memorial event, @StateDeptSpox:
— Jacob Magid (@JacobMagid) November 10, 2022
Celebrating the legacy of a terrorist organization is abhorrent. There is no other word for it. It is abhorrent. We remain concerned by the legacy of Kahane Chai & the...(1/3)
The chairman of Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Strength) party, who is expected to enter the Ministry of Internal Security, used the opportunity to mark his goals in the position. "My role and the vocation I have taken upon myself since the age of 14, is to act with the love of Israel, for every Jew who is in trouble. If Jewish girls are beaten in the Negev, It should be stopped. If stones and Molotov cocktails are thrown at our soldiers and policemen in Judea and Samaria, they should be allowed to respond."
US State Department condemns Israel's far-right MK Itamar Ben Gvir’s attendance at a memorial event for Meir Kahane: “Celebrating the legacy of a terrorist organization is abhorrent. There is no other word for it. It is abhorrent” https://t.co/Oa29S1O9RS
— Shibley Telhami (@ShibleyTelhami) November 11, 2022
"If a family is afraid to go to the Western Wall because it is dangerous, it should end. The love of Israel includes our duty to take care of being a free people in our country, without fear with uprightness of stature and immense love," he added.
Ben Gvir has no experience in security roles, he was rejected from service by the Israel Defense Forces over his extremist views but has since become more moderate. While he still has hardline opinions, what he advocates for resonated with the Israeli population who believe soldiers and police should be allowed to act quicker when under threat, rather than follow arduous rules of engagement.
