Ben-Gvir undermines Israel's security and democracy while Netanyahu enables him for political survival
Source: Avi Issacharoff. "Israel’s Human Wrecking Ball - The Atlantic." May 22, 2026. www.theatlantic.com
The Gist
The author argues that Israel's National Security Minister Ben-Gvir is actually making Israel less safe by giving enemies propaganda material, turning police against protesters instead of criminals, and ignoring warnings that hurt Israeli hostages. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu keeps him in power only to save his own political career, even though it's bad for the country.
Conclusion
Itamar Ben-Gvir is actively harming Israel's national security and democratic values, while Prime Minister Netanyahu enables this damage by prioritizing his own political survival over the country's wellbeing
Premises
- Ben-Gvir's provocative actions, like taunting flotilla detainees, provide propaganda ammunition to Israel's enemies and terrorist groups
- Ben-Gvir has transformed the police into a political militia that targets government opponents while ignoring real security threats
- Under Ben-Gvir's leadership, Israel's murder rate and youth violence have reached new highs, and settler violence has surged
- Ben-Gvir ignored intelligence warnings that his treatment of Palestinian prisoners was leading to torture of Israeli hostages by Hamas
- Netanyahu appointed Ben-Gvir despite previously calling him 'unfit' and continues to enable him despite obvious damage to Israel
- Ben-Gvir is a convicted criminal with eight offenses including incitement to racism and support for terrorist organizations
Assumptions
- A functioning democracy should not tolerate ministers who undermine national security
- Political leaders should prioritize national interest over personal political survival
- Police forces should focus on actual security threats rather than political opponents
- Intelligence warnings about harm to hostages should be heeded by responsible leaders