Tense Clash at Israeli Supreme Court Over UNRWA Law Between Ben Gvir, Gottlieb, and Arab Lawyer

A heated confrontation erupted Monday morning at the Israeli Supreme Court during hearings on petitions against the UNRWA law. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Knesset member Tali Gottlieb clashed with an Arab lawyer representing UNRWA and former mayor of Tayibe, who reportedly spoke rudely to them. In response, Ben Gvir and Gottlieb shouted at the lawyer, demanding he leave and questioning his legal credentials, calling it a disgrace to the Bar Association.

The lawyer retorted to Gottlieb with a derogatory comment telling her to "go to your Bibi." Following the exchange, Supreme Court Judge Ofer Groskopf ordered Gottlieb removed from the session for disrupting the proceedings. When she questioned the removal, the judge said it was because she was disturbing the court, to which she replied she would "restrain your power."

After the hearing, Minister Ben Gvir stated the law ends the absurdity of allowing UNRWA to operate in Israel and halts official cooperation with the organization, calling it a correction of a longstanding injustice. He expressed hope the Supreme Court would reject the petitions and uphold the law. Last week, the court refused a request to broadcast the hearing live, citing a lack of special public interest.

The petitions seek to annul laws banning UNRWA activities in Israel following evidence that some of its operatives participated in the October 7 massacre. Judges Groskopf, Yechiel Kasher, and Yael Wilner indicated the petitions fail to meet the minimum threshold of proving specific harm, suggesting they are likely to be dismissed.