Itamar Ben-Gvir's Political Strength Grows Despite Catastrophic Tenure
Despite objective indicators pointing to a disastrous tenure as Israel's National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir's political power is paradoxically expected to increase. The article draws a parallel between his current position and his past as a young Kahanist, noting his transformation into a more powerful figure, now wielding significant influence and public support.
Ben-Gvir's supporters view him as "the minister who didn't stop," overlooking issues like violence, murders, lack of governance, and protection rackets. This perception is maintained with the backing of Prime Minister Netanyahu. Ben-Gvir's actions have included easing criteria for firearm permits, potentially arming hundreds of thousands of citizens, and directing the Prison Service to undertake a costly and questionable project involving crocodile-filled water trenches around a security prison.
Furthermore, he is accused of transforming the police force into a political tool for his party, leading to a historic low in public trust. A survey by the Israel Democracy Institute revealed that public confidence in the police reached an all-time low at the end of last year. This decline in trust is particularly acute among Arab Israelis, with 80% expressing fear of going out on the streets, while a third of Jewish Israelis also report similar concerns.
The most significant metric cited for Ben-Gvir's failure is the dramatic increase in murder rates during his term. Homicides rose from 147 in 2020 to 300 in 2023, and remained high at 282 in 2024 and 295 in 2025, with no signs of decrease. Despite these figures, Ben-Gvir enjoys strong support from police and prison service officers, who appreciate his rhetoric about fighting for them and improving their conditions. An internal poll among these officers showed Ben-Gvir as the preferred choice for National Security Minister. The Police Commissioner's response to murder statistics, "I don't count bodies," reflects a similar approach to Ben-Gvir and his supporters.
