Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir used a rapid-fire TikTok interview with Channel 7 to address a series of security and political issues. He said it is possible to tell U.S. President Donald Trump “no,” and declared flatly that there should be no ceasefire in Lebanon, saying, “Absolutely not, to a ceasefire.”
Ben Gvir also condemned videos showing police using force against ultra-Orthodox protesters, calling the conduct “very wrong.” He said enforcement must be equal for everyone, adding, “I say this all the time,” and noted that one police officer seen in one incident had already been suspended.
On another topic, Ben Gvir praised a video he posted with pro-Palestinian activists from a flotilla, saying it sent a message to the world. “The flotilla video was excellent. It was a message to the whole world. We are the owners here, we do not hand out sandwiches to terror supporters,” he said.
Looking ahead to coalition politics, he said he believes the right-wing bloc will govern again, but only if it works hard. He also urged Ofer Winter to join Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich, warning that Winter is not currently clearing the electoral threshold and that votes for him would effectively go to Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot. Ben Gvir also defended the death penalty bill for terrorists as a necessary deterrent, saying it is “wonderful and important” and claiming it has helped reduce attacks.
