Protesters Label Itamar Ben-Gvir as a 'War Criminal' in Contentious Altercation During His U.S. Visit
A heated confrontation unfolded between Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and pro-Palestinian demonstrators within the heart of the US Capitol. On a visit marked by meetings with Congress members, Ben-Gvir encountered a crowd of protesters who denounced him as a "war criminal" and "genocide supporter."
The ultranationalist settler leader, a far-right figure who advocates for intensifying conflict in Gaza, responded to the protesters with angry outbursts, including a chilling "You kill baby!" retort. The fiery exchange between the two parties was captured on video.
The protesters, asserting that Ben-Gvir belonged at the Hague, referred to International Criminal Court (ICC) warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant.
In addition to the US Capitol clash, Ben-Gvir's trip was met with protests in Manhattan, where a man ambushed him in a steakhouse, swearing profanities and demanding his departure from New York.
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Related Topics:
- Gaza
- Israel
- Israel-Hamas war
- Palestinians
Who is Ben-Gvir?
A staunch supporter of Jewish settlements, Ben-Gvir has a controversial history marred by convictions for racist incitement and ties to terrorist groups. He has advocated for the expulsion of Arab citizens from Israel and has displayed a picture in his home depicting a man who massacred over two dozen Muslim worshippers.
During his visit to the headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement in Brooklyn, Ben-Gvir was met by another wave of protesters, who taunted him with Palestinian flags.
A Sister City's Strife:
A Brooklyn woman suffered a violent assault by a mob of orthodox Jews who mistakenly identified her as a protester. The attack, which was recorded on camera, left the woman fearing for her life. The assailants kicked, spat upon, pelted her with objects, and chased her through the streets. The frightened victim only emerged from her home after hearing police helicopters and covering her face with a scarf.
"As soon as I pulled up my scarf, a group of 100 men came over immediately and encircled me," the woman recounted. "They were shouting at me, threatening to rape me, chanting 'death to Arabs.' I thought the police would protect me from the mob, but they did nothing to intervene."
Eventually, a lone police officer escorted the woman to safety, but they were followed by hundreds of men shouting in Hebrew and English.
"This is America," one of the men was heard saying. "We got Israel. We got an army now."
A police spokesperson confirmed one arrest and five issued summons following the protests, but it remained unclear whether anyone involved in the assault on the woman was among those apprehended.
A spokesman for Chabad-Lubavitch denounced both the anti-Ben-Gvir protesters and the mob that attacked the woman.
Sounding Off on Social Media:
In response to the protests that dogged him during his trip, Ben-Gvir took to social media to share an image of himself in the Capitol. He declared: "Between meetings, several pro-Palestinian protesters began shouting pro-Hamas and Gaza slogans at me. I responded by saying that they were supporting the murderers, just like on 9/11—we will defeat them!"
Meanwhile, Israel's ongoing blockade of aid into Gaza entered its second month, with the United Nations' food agency reporting that its stores of food had run dry. So far this week, the bodies of 51 people killed and 113 injured were delivered to hospitals within Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
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- The Gaza aid worker's release came after an Israeli attack, further escalating discussions about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- In a related conversation, the Palestinian envoy at the United Nations Court highlighted the plight of Gaza civilians, warning of potential starvation, killing, and displacement.
- Amidst this international politics and general-news topics, the heated Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly the Israel-Hamas war, remains a prevalent concern.
- On social media, Ben-Gvir defended his Capitol visit amidst protests, accusing his critics of supporting Hamas and Gaza, drawing further attention to the ongoing issues between Israel, Palestinians, and Gaza.
