Ben Gvir tours Bedouin town amid spate of violent crime, declares ‘I’m the landlord here’

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir tours the Negev Bedouin village of Lakiya for a second time this month, sparking anger from residents after police blocked the town’s entrance with concrete blocks this afternoon.

His visit and the roadblocks erected today come on the heels of a new operation by police aimed at combating spiraling crime and arms trafficking among Negev Bedouin, dubbed Operation New Order.

While Arab mayors and council heads have repeatedly demanded that the state do more to combat crime in their locales, many assign blame to the far-right national security minister for the uptick in homicides since he took office. They have also lamented that they have been boxed out from decision-making regarding the issue even though it primarily affects their constituencies.

Ben Gvir, during his visit alongside Southern District police chief Haim Bublil, is seen feuding with Ra’am MK Walid al-Hawashleh. Footage shows Ben Gvir declaring that he is the “landlord” in the Arab town, as al-Hawashleh derides him as a racist.

“We will mow down whoever is bad, I’m not afraid of them, I’m the landlord here,” he says, before shouting “barra,” meaning “out” in Arabic, at al-Hawashleh, a taunt he uses frequently when fending off criticism from Arab lawmakers.

“You racist, you haven’t done anything about the murders in Arab society,” al-Hawashleh says while pursuing the minister as he continues down the street with his entourage. “You’re only making provocations here.”

השר לביטחון לאומי איתמר בן גביר הגיע ללקיה: ״מי שרע נכסח אותו – אני לא מפחד ממכם. אני בעל הבית פה״ pic.twitter.com/JFqzQL0YhJ

— ארנולד נטייב (@ArnoldNataev) November 23, 2025

Later footage from the visit shows dozens of residents jeering the far-right minister as he waves from his car, before entering the vehicle.

Earlier today, police put up roadblocks in Lakiya as part of the new operation, aimed at blocking the movement of criminals and weapons in the area. However, locals resented the decision since it impeded their movements.

לא הספקתי מוקדם יותר, אז הנה המשטרה פועלת בהוראת השר בן גביר.

הודעת המשטרה: בטונדות וחסימות משטרתיות הוצבו ביישובים הבדואים לקייה ותל שבע.

מבצע "סדר חדש" בנגב יצא לדרך בסוף השבוע – ביוזמת השר לביטחון לאומי איתמר בן גביר והמפכ"ל דני לוי המשטרה פועלת נגד תופעת הירי וזליגת אמצעי… pic.twitter.com/PkxxA8GQRt

— אלעד הוּמינר ???????? العاد هومينر (@EladHumi) November 23, 2025

Concrete roadblocks have been used by the IDF in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to prevent entry and exit from Palestinian residential areas during times of heightened tension, as well as during some major Jewish holidays.

Sharif Al-Asad, the head of Lakiya’s local council, tells the Hebrew outlet Walla that he attempted to push back against the choice to erect roadblocks in the town. “This is Ben Gvir’s decision, as if we are second-class citizens. We are equal citizens,” he says.