Israeli Cabinet Approves Ben-Gvir’s National Guard Plan

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Facts

• On Sunday, Israel approved the formation of a national guard — proposed by controversial National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir — to deal with civil unrest in mixed Jewish-Arab areas. They refrained, however, from immediately giving Ben-Gvir direct command.¹
• Ben-Gvir, leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, said the force would deal with 'emergency scenarios, nationalistic crime, terror, and strengthening sovereignty.'²
• To create the force, Israeli ministries across the board will see a 1.5% cut to their budgets, handing the National Security Ministry around $278M. The force will also have 2K service members in its ranks.³
• Amid concerns that it could become a private 'militia,' PM Benjamin Netanyahu's office said a committee comprised of members of 'Israel's security agencies' would propose within 90 days whether the police 'or another body' should be in charge of the force.⁴
• The creation of a new national guard was a condition set by Ben-Gvir to agree to freeze the government's controversial judicial overhaul, which had sparked weeks-long protests across the country and a crippling general strike last Monday.⁵
• It was also noted in Netanyahu's statement that the force would deal with 'national emergency situations' like the unrest that swept some Israeli cities during the 11-day Gaza conflict in 2021 with Palestinian militants.⁴

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²Al arabiya english, ³The times of israel, ⁴France 24 and ⁵Al Jazeera.

Narratives

• Pro-Israel, as provided by Jerusalem post. Considering the riots that swept Israel during the 2021 war with terrorists in Gaza, it makes sense that the government should create a new force to deal with similar situations in the future. However, Ben-Gvir might not be the right person to command such a force, as he is particularly controversial within the Israeli public and security apparatus. Though he is an integral part of Netanyahu's government, putting too much power in his hands may cause issues for Israel's security.
• Pro-Palestine, as provided by Middle east eye. As Netanyahu continues to pander to Israel's far-right Jewish supremacists, Palestinians will ultimately suffer at the hands of Ben-Gvir's sectarian militia. Besides the fact that such a militia will only worsen the brutality of the occupation, it will also, quite ironically, negatively affect Israel's security. Ben-Gvir cannot be allowed to build his own state within a state.

Predictions