Netanyahu: Itamar Ben-Gvir has ‘modified’ a lot of his views

Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu defended his decision to include far-right extremist Itamar Ben-Gvir in his coalition, saying the Jewish Power party leader has “modified” a lot of views. 

Ben-Gvir, who will be named National Security Minister with expanded powers in Netanyahu’s government, was indicted for racism and support for a terror group in 2007.

The Jewish Power party leader is known for calling on “disloyal” Arab-Israelis to be deported, as well as having a picture of Baruch Goldstein, who killed 29 Palestinians in a mosque in Hebron in 1994, hanging in his home until a few years ago.

Speaking to NPR’s Morning Edition, Netanyahu said Ben-Gvir’s eligibility was “decided by the Supreme Court. Secondly, he’s modified a lot of his views since then. And I have to say that, with power comes responsibility.”

One of his campaign promises was, like Likud, to “restore security” after a string of Palestinian terror attacks in Israel and the West Bank killed 27 Israelis this year.

Netanyahu said that was one of the reasons why Ben-Gvir will be appointed National Security Minister.

“I think one of the things that we’ve seen is the erosion of internal security in Israel. It’s a big, big issue. I have to say his party ran on that. He says, ‘I want to be tested. I think I can bring security to Arabs, the Arab citizens and Jews, citizens alike.’ That was his campaign promise. We have a coalition. I said you will be given the chance. You’ll be given the tools. You better do the job. And I think that time will see,” Netanyahu said.

The incoming prime minister also repeated his promise that he will be the person in charge of the government, not the far-right parties: “They are joining me. I’m not joining them.”

On Tuesday, the incoming coalition advanced a number of bills, one of which will expand Ben-Gvir’s responsibilities so that the Police Commissioner is subordinate to him.

Ben-Gvir will also be in control of police in the West Bank. Both amendments have been criticised widely by former and current security officials for giving Ben-Gvir too much power over one of the most crucial security portfolios.