Ben Gvir publishes photo embracing Gaza hostage’s relative, who responds: ‘I told you not to hug me’

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir publishes a photo of himself hugging the relative of a hostage held in Gaza during a stormy Knesset session on legislation proposing the death penalty for terrorists.

In a furious altercation, MKs from Otzma Yehudit yelled at family members of hostages after the latter spoke out against the party’s legislation, in fear that such a law could have severe repercussions for their captive relatives.

Shortly afterwards, Ben Gvir publishes the photo of himself hugging Gil Dickmann, reasserting that the party would push through the legislation while supporting the families of the hostages.

Dickmann, a cousin of Carmel Gat who was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, broke down in tears during the session as he begged Ben Gvir not to advance the death penalty law.

He writes on X that he asked the minister not to hug him:

Take your hands off me

My look here says it all.
I told you:
Don’t hug me
You hugged anyway.
I told you:
Don’t put our loved ones at risk.
Still, you took a risk.
All for the picture.

Itamar Ben Gvir – You have no limits.
Everyone sees that you are making a circus on the blood of our families.
It’s not too late.
Stop.

תוריד ממני את הידיים שלך.

המבט שלי כאן אומר הכל.
אמרתי לך:
אל תחבק אותי.
בכל זאת חיבקת.
אמרתי לך:
אל תסכן את האהובים שלנו.
בכל זאת סיכנת.
הכל בשביל התמונה.

איתמר בן גביר – אין לך שום גבול.
כולם רואים שאתה עושה קרקס על הדם של המשפחות שלנו.
עוד לא מאוחר.
תעצור. https://t.co/xeRm9rdlkH

— Gil Dickmann | גיל דיקמן (@gildickmann) November 20, 2023