Far-right politician uses Gilad Farm crisis to prove his ideological credentials

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the National Security Minister, and Naftali Bennett, the former prime minister, have both thrown their support behind Gilad Farm, a Jewish settlement outpost in the West Bank, but their motivations extend beyond sympathy for a community facing difficulties. Both men are using the issue to demonstrate their continued alignment with Israel’s far-right political base, despite their current positions within the government coalition.

For Ben-Gvir in particular, the backing of Gilad Farm serves a dual purpose. While the settlement has faced legal challenges and administrative pressure, the issue has become a rallying point for right-wing activists. By championing its cause, Ben-Gvir is sending a signal to hardline supporters that he remains ideologically committed to their cause, even as he sits in a coalition government that includes the Arab-led Raam party.

This dynamic reflects broader tensions within Israel’s current political coalition. Right-wing ministers must constantly balance their government responsibilities with the expectations of their ideological base, who view any perceived moderation or compromise as betrayal. The Gilad Farm dispute has become emblematic of these internal coalition pressures, with settlement expansion and Palestinian land issues remaining deeply divisive within Israeli politics.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.