From the Liveblog of
Sunday, October 30, 2022
Far-right Ben Gvir says will demand police ministry in coalition talks
Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
Leader of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party MK Itamar Ben Gvir says he will demand to be appointed public security minister with authority over the police, during coalition negotiations after the upcoming election.
Ben Gvir cites a series of Palestinian terror attacks committed in recent months in cities around the country and in the West Bank, and accuses Prime Minister Yair Lapid, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, and Public Security Minister Omer Bar Lev of “falling asleep on their watch.”
The far-right leader lays out a five-point plan for dealing with the spike in terrorism, including arming reserve soldiers; relaxing open fire rules to allow police and soldiers to use live fire at rioters throwing stones and petrol bombs; and passing legislation granting police and soldiers immunity from criminal prosecution over actions they take.
The left-wing Meretz party responds to Ben Gvir’s announcement by posting video footage of the Otzma Yehudit MK from 1995 dressing up as Baruch Goldstein, the Jewish terrorist who carried out the Cave of the Patriarchs massacre in 1994 killing 29 Palestinians.
