Far-Right Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's US Visit Provokes Protests and Highlights Community Divisions

During a private event at a Manhattan steakhouse, Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir faced an unexpected protest. Gabriel DeFazio, a Brooklyn resident, emerged from hiding in the bathroom to confront Ben-Gvir, shouting, "Get the expletive out of New York!" Security quickly removed DeFazio, but not before he accused Ben-Gvir of being a Nazi and expressed hope for a free Palestine.

Ben-Gvir's visit to the United States has sparked significant controversy. As an ultranationalist settler leader, his presence has drawn protests and resignations. At Yale University, hundreds demonstrated against him, leading to several members of the hosting Jewish society stepping down. The visit has highlighted divisions within American Judaism.

Protests and Resignations

In Brooklyn, Ben-Gvir's visit to the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters was met with more protests. Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and clashed with Orthodox Jewish counter-demonstrators. This resulted in six arrests and one woman being injured. Rabbi Motti Seligson clarified that while some community members invited Ben-Gvir, the event wasn't officially organized by synagogue leadership.

David Vincent Kimel, a former member of Shabtai, criticized the decision to host Ben-Gvir near Yale University. Kimel resigned from the group alongside others, condemning the event as "deliberately provocative." He compared hosting Ben-Gvir to a white society inviting the Ku Klux Klan. Rabbi Schmully Hecht, who co-founded Shabtai, did not respond to inquiries but expressed admiration for Ben-Gvir.

Controversial Ideology

Ben-Gvir's political stance has been contentious. A staunch supporter of Jewish settlements, he has faced convictions in Israel for racist incitement and supporting terrorist groups. His past includes advocating for the deportation of Arab citizens from Israel and displaying a picture of a man who committed a massacre against Muslim worshippers.

Despite previous ostracism by Israeli politicians, Ben-Gvir's influence has grown with the country's rightward political shift. His ultranationalist religious ideology has even caught the attention of American officials. President Joe Biden's State Department once accused him of "sowing chaos," yet he appears to be gaining traction in the US.

US Visit Details

Ben-Gvir began his US trip with a dinner at Mar-a-Lago on Monday. There, he claimed to have met Republican Party officials supportive of his Gaza bombing plan. However, it seems former President Donald Trump was not present. His itinerary included visits to Miami Police Department, a Jewish school in Florida, and a Jewish-owned gun shop.

Several planned events were cancelled following protests. These included meetings with a Hasidic congregation in Brooklyn and a Modern Orthodox synagogue on Long Island. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported these cancellations amid growing opposition to his visit.

Political Reactions

A group of Jewish leaders gathered in New York to denounce Ben-Gvir's visit. US Representative Jerry Nadler called him a "racist, terrorist, Jewish supremacist." Nadler announced plans to introduce legislation addressing violence in the West Bank as a response to Ben-Gvir's presence.

The protester DeFazio explained his actions at the steakhouse event aimed to highlight extremist politics becoming "normalised" in both Israel and the US. He expressed disbelief that Ben-Gvir could freely move through prestigious campuses and New York City without challenge.

The visit has underscored deep divisions within communities regarding extremist ideologies and their acceptance in mainstream politics. As debates continue, many are left questioning how such figures gain influence and what it means for future political landscapes.