Far-Right Ben-Gvir to Be Israel’s National Security Minister

Israeli right-wing Knesset member Itamar ben Gvir (L) and Ofir Sofer ( R) during the swearing-in ceremony for the new Israeli parliament the 25th Knesset in Jerusalem, 15 November 2022. (Reuters)
Israeli right-wing Knesset member Itamar ben Gvir (L) and Ofir Sofer ( R) during the swearing-in ceremony for the new Israeli parliament the 25th Knesset in Jerusalem, 15 November 2022. (Reuters)
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Far-Right Ben-Gvir to Be Israel’s National Security Minister

Israeli right-wing Knesset member Itamar ben Gvir (L) and Ofir Sofer ( R) during the swearing-in ceremony for the new Israeli parliament the 25th Knesset in Jerusalem, 15 November 2022. (Reuters)
Israeli right-wing Knesset member Itamar ben Gvir (L) and Ofir Sofer ( R) during the swearing-in ceremony for the new Israeli parliament the 25th Knesset in Jerusalem, 15 November 2022. (Reuters)

Extremist politician Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has a long record of anti-Arab rhetoric and stunts, will become Israel's next minister of national security, according to the first of what are expected to be several coalition deals struck by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party. 

Likud announced the agreement with Ben-Gvir's Jewish Power party on Friday. 

Negotiations with three other potential far-right and ultra-Orthodox coalition partners are ongoing. If successful, Netanyahu would return to the prime minister's office and preside over the most right-wing and religious government in Israel's history. 

The awarding of the sensitive role to Ben-Gvir raises concerns of a further escalation in Israeli-Palestinian tensions. Ben-Gvir and his allies hope to grant immunity to Israeli soldiers who shoot at Palestinians, deport rival lawmakers and impose the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of attacks on Jews. 

Ben-Gvir is the disciple of a racist rabbi, Meir Kahane, who was banned from Parliament and whose Kach party was branded a terrorist group by the United States before he was assassinated in New York in 1990. 

Ahead of Israel's Nov. 1 election, Ben-Gvir grabbed headlines for his anti-Palestinian speeches and stunts, including brandishing a pistol and encouraging police to open fire on Palestinian stone-throwers in a tense Jerusalem neighborhood. 

Before becoming a lawyer and entering politics, he was convicted of offenses that include inciting racism and supporting a terrorist organization. 

In his new role, he would be in charge of the police, among other things, enabling him to implement some of the hard-line policies against the Palestinians he has advocated for years. 

As part of the coalition deal, the current Ministry of Internal Security would be renamed Ministry of National Security and would be given expanded powers, Likud said Friday. 

As head of the ministry, Ben-Gvir would oversee the police and the paramilitary border police who operate alongside Israeli soldiers in Palestinian population centers. 

Likud lawmaker Yariv Levin praised the agreement, which was signed Thursday, as “the first agreement on the way to establishing a stable right-wing government led by Benjamin Netanyahu." 

Ben-Gvir first entered parliament in 2021, after his Jewish Power party merged with the Religious Zionism party. Ben-Gvir's closest political ally, Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich, is conducting separate negotiations with Likud, which emerged as the largest party in the elections. 

Netanyahu has balked at some of the demands, such as Smotrich seeking the defense ministry. Talks currently focus on the terms under which Smotrich would become finance minister. 



Amid Gaza War, Israel Defense Exports Jump 13% in 2024 to Record $15 bln

A remote controlled machine gun is attached to an Israeli military vehicle during an Israeli raid in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, March 4, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta/File Photo
A remote controlled machine gun is attached to an Israeli military vehicle during an Israeli raid in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, March 4, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta/File Photo
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Amid Gaza War, Israel Defense Exports Jump 13% in 2024 to Record $15 bln

A remote controlled machine gun is attached to an Israeli military vehicle during an Israeli raid in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, March 4, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta/File Photo
A remote controlled machine gun is attached to an Israeli military vehicle during an Israeli raid in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, March 4, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta/File Photo

Israel's defense exports rose 13% in 2024 to a record of nearly $15 billion, led by missiles, rockets and air-defense systems with over half the deliveries going to European militaries, the government said on Wednesday.

Military exports, the Defense Ministry said in a statement, have more than doubled over the past five years, reaching nearly $15 billion in value in 2024.

The ministry said that since the outbreak of the Gaza war on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel's defense industries have operated in emergency mode with round-the-clock arms production while also maintaining manufacturing for foreign clients.

"The new record in Israeli defense exports, achieved during a year of war, reflects more than anything else the growing global appreciation for Israeli technology’s proven capabilities," said Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram, Reuters reported.

"Israeli systems have resonated throughout the Middle East this past year. More nations want to protect their citizens using Israeli defense equipment."

The ministry said there was significant growth in contracts from Europe last year, where exports accounted for 54% of the total, up from 36% in 2023. Asia-Pacific was next at 23% with the United States at 9%.

Missile, rocket and air defense systems comprised 48% of defence exports, followed by vehicles and armoured personnel carriers at 9%, and satellites and space systems, radar and electronic warfare, manned aircraft and avionics at 8% each.

Some 57% of contracts amounted to more than $100 million.