Israel: Leaked messages reveal Ben-Gvir's push for crackdowns on Palestinians

An investigative report by Israel’s Channel 13 has uncovered leaked messages suggesting that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir directed unlawful interventions in police operations.

Over ten months of leaked messages from a WhatsApp group called “Strategy Government” reveal Ben-Gvir directing police activities, including attacks against Palestinians in East Jerusalem and calling for violent crackdowns against anti-government protesters.

His attempt to prevent the report’s broadcast was rejected by the High Court, which dismissed his privacy claim.

The report comes as Israel’s Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, advised Prime Minister Netanyahu to fire the far-right minister for breaking the law, unless he changes his behaviour.

According to the Jerusalem Post, the report revealed leaked messages between Ben-Gvir and his inner circle, which included the leader of the ultra-nationalist Lehava group known for its anti-Arab stance, Bentzi Gopstein, settler leader Chanamel Dorfman, and adviser Ofer Cohen.

The messages, spanning several years, also showed the involvement of Ben-Gvir’s wife, Ayala, who played a key role in his public image.

The report highlighted Ben-Gvir’s attempts to pressure Netanyahu, such as his raids at the Al-Aqsa compound to provoke a reaction from the government and his plans to reside in the Jewish Quarter during Passover. Ben-Gvir also sought to escalate tensions by pushing for violent crackdown against anti-government protesters.

Additionally, in a controversial revelation, the national security minister admitted privately that he did not believe Hamas could be defeated in Gaza, contradicting his public statements since the outbreak of Israel’s bombing campaign. The report also showed that Gopstein, a convicted racist, had been advising Ben-Gvir on ministry matters.

The leaks followed the arrest of a former Ben-Gvir spokesperson for allegedly leaking classified information. Ben-Gvir responded to the report by accusing the media of trying to damage him, likening it to efforts against US President Donald Trump.

“Just as in the United States they are trying to harm US Trump, so too in Israel they are trying to harm me,” Ben-Gvir said.

Netanyahu has said efforts by the attorney-general to sack Ben-Gvir, will lead to a “constitutional crisis” in Israel, according to local media.

UN: 85% of humanitarian aid requests to Northern Gaza blocked or delayed by Israel