In his first interview with a Western news outlet since his election to the Israeli government in December 2022, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir took a swipe at US President Joe Biden on Sunday, telling Dov Leiber of The Wall Street Journal that “Instead of giving us his full backing, Biden is busy with humanitarian aid and fuel [to Gaza], which goes to Hamas. If Trump [were] in power, the US conduct would be completely different.”
Minister-without-portfolio and National Unity chairman MK Benny Gantz, opposition leader and centrist Yesh Atid party chairman MK Yair Lapid, Labor chairwoman MK Merav Michaeli, and others immediately condemned Ben-Gvir’s remark.
“It’s ok to disagree, even with our largest and most important ally, but we must act in the relevant forums and not via irresponsible comments in the media that harm Israel’s strategic relations, national security, and the war effort at this time,” Gantz wrote on X (formally known as Twitter).
“The prime minister needs to reprimand the national security minister, who, instead of taking care of internal security issues – is causing enormous damage to Israel’s foreign relations,” Gantz added.
Lapid said in a statement, “Ben-Gvir’s interview with The Wall Street Journal is a direct blow to Israel’s international status, a direct blow to the war effort, is damaging to Israeli security, and mainly proves that he understands nothing about foreign relations. I would call on the prime minister to rein him in, but Netanyahu has no control over the extremists in his government.”
Should Ben-Gvir be fired?
Michaeli called on Netanyahu to fire Ben-Gvir.
“Minister Ben-Gvir’s blatant and deliberate intervention in the American election campaign is a grievous strategic blow,” Michaeli wrote on X. “If Netanyahu does not fire Ben-Gvir, it is tantamount to unreservedly endorsing his remarks. No one anywhere will believe that a government minister would dare to make such harmful and even ungrateful remarks without having the backing of the prime minister of Israel.”
In an apparent attempt to counter Ben-Gvir, Shas chairman and war cabinet member MK Aryeh Deri wrote on X, “Thank you, President of the United States Joe Biden. The people of Israel will forever remember you for standing with Israel during some of our toughest hours. You and America are kingdoms of kindness. Even among friends and allies, there are differences of opinion. You are willing and paying a personal and political price to help us, and for that, we will always be grateful. May God protect you and America.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded a few hours later at the opening of Sunday’s government meeting.“Israel is a sovereign state. We greatly appreciate the support that we have received from the Biden administration since the outbreak of the war: In weaponry, at international institutions, in sending forces to the region, and more. This is not to say that there are no disagreements among us, but as of today, we have succeeded in overcoming them with determined and balanced decisions,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu: I don't need help navigating Israel-US relationship
“I would like to tell you something, from my own experience: There are those who say ‘Yes’ to everything, even when one must say ‘No.’ While they are applauded by the international community, they endanger our national security. And there are those who say ‘No’ to everything. While they are applauded at home, they also endanger vital interests. I would like to tell you something from my experience: Wisdom is knowing how to navigate – to say ‘Yes’ when it is possible and to say ‘No’ when it is necessary,” the prime minister said.
“I am not in need of any assistance in navigating our relations with the US and the international community while steadfastly upholding our national interests. Thank G-d, I have been doing this for a few years,” Netanyahu added, concluding that “as a sovereign state that is fighting for its existence and its future, we make our own decisions, even in those instances where there is no agreement with our American friends.
The WSJ’s brief profile of Ben-Gvir, which only included a handful of statements by Ben-Gvir alongside two portraits shot by Jordanian-American photographer Tanya Habjouqa, focused on the political leverage the once-fringe politician has accumulated since being shepherded into the mainstream during Netanyahu’s year-long campaign to return to the premiership following his ouster in 2021.
The Journal article drew a connection between Ben-Gvir’s rejection last week of a potential hostage deal that would involve a significant release of Palestinian prisoners, and the prime minister’s announcement later that day that he too would oppose such a deal. “There are signs that Ben-Gvir has a growing influence in the debate,” the author wrote, “and Netanyahu increasingly needs him.”
“God willing, I will go far,” Ben-Gvir told the paper.
The article paid particular attention to Ben-Gvir’s advocacy for a return to Jewish settlement in Gaza, which hosted several Israeli communities until their dismantlement in 2005 as part of Israel’s disengagement from the Strip.
The minister told the WSJ that he supports the encouragement of “voluntary” resettlement by Palestinians outside the Strip, phraseology that – as the Journal noted – reads to some as a dog whistle for expulsion and causes, in the words of an Israeli official quoted in the piece, a “headache” for Netanyahu.
“When Ben-Gvir opens his mouth, he creates a backlash that makes it harder for us to fight the war and bring hostages home,” an opposition official told the WSJ.