Israeli government approves far-right minister Ben-Gvir’s new ‘national guard’
The purpose of the 'national guard' will be to fight terror and nationalistic crimes as well as enforcing public order.
Israel’s security cabinet approved the establishment of a new ‘national guard’ expected to consist of some 2,000 officers.
The new and highly controversial “national guard” was promoted by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is pushing for the law enforcement unit to fall directly under his authority.
The purpose of the national guard will be to fight terror and nationalistic crimes, as well as enforcing public order.
The latter has been interpreted by opposition lawmakers and security experts as directly related to the mass protests against the government’s judicial reforms.
“The national guard will serve as a skilled, trained, designated force to handle various emergency events, nationalist crime, terror and to strengthen governance where needed, as part of the duties carried out by the police today,” Haaretz quoted Ben-Gvir as saying.
According to Israeli media, several cabinet members opposed to having a 1,5% cut in their ministries’ budgets to fund the national guard.
The idea of a law enforcement force under Ben-Gvir has however been widely criticised, with Opposition Leader Yair Lapid calling it “ridiculous and despicable” to “finance a private army of thugs for the TikTok clown (Ben-Gvir).”
Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai also warned Ben-Gvir that separating the national guard from the Police could have “disastrous consequences.”
Former Police chief, Moshe Karadi went even further, warned that the far-right minister would “recruit the Hilltop Youth” to his own “private militia” intended for his “political needs.”
Ofer Cassif, lawmaker from the Arab Israeli Hadash-Ta’al list, is particularly worried about Ben-Gvir’s national guard.
“The ‘National Guard’ is a sugar coated term for Kahanist militia, an updated Stormtroopers intended to target Arab citizens, leftists and all kinds of dissidents. Resembling Oswald Mosley’s Stewards, such a group is doomed to be eliminated. And we shall do everything to achieve that,” Cassif told Jewish News, referring to the paramilitary wing of the British Union of Fascists.
The agreement between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir to create a national guard came on Monday as the two were meeting ahead of Netanyahu’s decision to halt the judicial reforms.
After initially threatening to resign as minister if Netanyahu halted the reforms, Ben-Gvir gave his support after being promised to get a national guard, according to Israeli media.
Ben-Gvir has repeatedly said he wants the police to use more force against the demonstrators, often giving direct orders to commanders after visiting their headquarter in Tel Aviv.
The High Court of Justice, however, ruled that Ben-Gvir doesn’t have the authority to give any orders on operational levels, which falls under the responsibilities of the Police Commissioner. Ben-Gvir lashed out at the High Court, calling the ruling a “coup” against him.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
