Ben-Gvir Sues Ex-IDF Chief Eisenkot Over Incitement Claims

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has filed a lawsuit against Knesset member and former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and Eisenkot's party, demanding NIS 100,000 in damages. The lawsuit, filed through Ben-Gvir's attorney, stems from statements Eisenkot made on a podcast.

In the podcast, Eisenkot discussed politicians who allegedly spread violent videos on social media to young people, including messages like "the only way is to kill" and "a good Arab is a dead Arab." Eisenkot then directly referenced "the phenomenon called Itamar Ben-Gvir," linking the minister to these extreme statements. Ben-Gvir's lawsuit asserts that attributing such messages of incitement to murder, racism, violence, and bullying to him is entirely false and constitutes a severe blow to his good name.

The lawsuit was initiated after Eisenkot was asked to issue an apology, retract his statements, and pay compensation, but he refused. Eisenkot's party, Yisrael Beiteinu, responded by stating they stand by his words. They characterized the "Ben-Gvir phenomenon," which they claim was promoted by Prime Minister Netanyahu out of political weakness, as dangerous and concerning, bringing extremism, bullying, and incitement into the political center stage.

Yisrael Beiteinu also criticized Ben-Gvir's performance as National Security Minister, citing record murder rates, rampant crime, and his alleged support for abandoning hostages in Gaza, who were abducted during his and the cabinet's tenure.