Itamar Ben Gvir Overstates Illegal Home Demolitions in Negev Compared to Previous Government
How 2 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.
By אוריה בר-מאיר
First reported by Now 14 · Jul 28, 2026
What happened
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir claimed a dramatic rise in illegal home demolitions in the Negev compared to the previous government, but official data shows the increase is significant yet far less extreme than stated. In 2025, about 5,742 demolitions occurred, while in 2022 under the prior government, 2,862 structures were demolished, including 380 homes. Ben Gvir's figures conflated different categories, leading to inaccurate comparisons.
- 01Ben Gvir claimed only four illegal homes were demolished under the previous government, but data shows 2,862 structures were demolished in 2022.
- 02In 2025, 5,742 illegal structures were demolished in the Negev, close to Ben Gvir's stated 5,750.
- 03Only 380 of the 2022 demolitions were residential homes, not just four as claimed.
- 04Ben Gvir's office said their figures refer to inhabited homes, excluding unoccupied structures, causing data mismatches.
- 05Demolitions have increased under Ben Gvir, but the gap with the previous government is much smaller than he asserted.
- 06Obtaining legal building permits in the Negev takes years, complicating the situation for those affected by demolitions.
Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.
Full coverage · 2 outlets
The same event, reported separately by each newsroom. Open a few to compare what each emphasizes — and what they leave out.
