Analyst Links Ben-Gvir's Rise to Neo-Nazi Ideology, Netanyahu's Succession Plans
Dr. Muhannad Mustafa, in a study titled "From the Threshold of the House to the Master of the House," draws parallels between Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party and neo-Nazi movements, asserting that the source of racism, whether religious, ethnic, or cultural, is less important than its outcomes, which he argues are similar across different contexts. Mustafa contends that Ben-Gvir's ideology, rooted in Jewish supremacy and the concept of 'blood purity,' mirrors the racial basis of Nazism in Germany and skin-color prejudice in Australia.
Mustafa highlights the alarming penetration of Ben-Gvir's ideas into the Israeli public sphere and the ruling Likud party, noting a significant shift in the Likud's political stance. He recalls Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's past statements in 2021 and 2022, where he deemed Ben-Gvir unfit for ministerial positions. However, Mustafa observes that within four years, the Likud has transformed into a party closely resembling Otzma Yehudit, becoming a 'Jewish Power B.'
The study suggests Ben-Gvir's ambition extends beyond parliamentary gains; he aims to become the leader of the Israeli right after Netanyahu, potentially supplanting the Likud by attracting its traditional base and positioning himself as a future prime minister. Mustafa explains that Ben-Gvir's strategy involves transforming the Likud into an ideological 'Jewish Power,' thereby weakening it electorally in favor of his own party. He believes Netanyahu inadvertently facilitated the entry of Ben-Gvir's ideas into the Likud for personal and political reasons, despite not personally adhering to the Kahanist ideology.
Mustafa further differentiates Ben-Gvir from fellow far-right politician Bezalel Smotrich, noting that Ben-Gvir appeals to a broader base, particularly Mizrahi Jews, by channeling existing hatred towards Palestinians within Israel into a political program. This strategy, he argues, allows Ben-Gvir to challenge Netanyahu's dominance and position Otzma Yehudit as the preeminent right-wing force. Ben-Gvir's slogan 'Masters of the House' is seen as an attempt to redefine the relationship between Jews and Palestinians, aiming to suppress Palestinian progress and reinforce a sense of Jewish dominance, which Mustafa likens to neo-Nazi tenets.
The analysis concludes that the upcoming elections are largely centered on Netanyahu's persona, the nature of the state (conservative versus religiously extremist), the integrity of state institutions, and the centrality of the Palestinian issue within Israel. Ben-Gvir's success, according to Mustafa, lies in establishing red lines concerning budgets for Arab citizens, house demolitions, and prison policies, which have become near-consensus issues, with even centrist politicians like Benny Gantz refraining from criticizing the substance of his policies.
