5 Shocking Ways Itamar Ben-Gvir Is Reshaping Israel’s National Security In 2025

Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s firebrand Minister of National Security and leader of the far-right Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, remains one of the most polarizing and influential figures in Israeli politics, with his actions in late 2025 driving significant domestic and international headlines. As of this current date, December 15, 2025, his political maneuvering has not only caused an uproar over the 2025 state budget but has also solidified his ultranationalist vision for Israeli security policy, often in direct confrontation with established norms and international warnings.

The political drama surrounding Ben-Gvir is not just about rhetoric; it is about tangible policy shifts that are reshaping the Israeli security landscape, from arming settlers in the West Bank to challenging the delicate status quo on Jerusalem's most contested holy sites. His rise from a fringe activist to a cabinet minister with immense power over the police and prison services is a story of how a once-radical ideology has moved to the center of power, making him a central figure in the ongoing conflict and a constant source of political tension.

The Complete Biography and Political Ascent of Itamar Ben-Gvir

Itamar Ben-Gvir was born on May 6, 1976, in Mevaseret Zion, a suburb of Jerusalem. His personal and political journey is deeply intertwined with the radical religious-nationalist movement in Israel, tracing its roots back to the controversial ideology of Rabbi Meir Kahane.

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Early Life, Activism, and Legal Career

• Born: May 6, 1976
• Birthplace: Mevaseret Zion, Israel
• Education & Profession: Lawyer and politician.
• Early Activism: Ben-Gvir was involved in right-wing activism from a young age, famously coming to public attention after stealing the emblem from Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's car shortly before Rabin's assassination.
• Legal Defense: Despite his radical political history, he qualified as a lawyer. His legal career was often spent defending radical Jewish settlers and activists who were facing charges related to violence or anti-Arab incitement. This work provided him with a public profile and a deep understanding of the legal system he would later come to oversee.

Political Milestones

• Political Party: Leader of Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power).
• Ideology: Far-right, ultranationalist, and Kahanist.
• Knesset Entry: First elected to the Knesset in 2021, after several unsuccessful attempts in previous elections.
• Current Role: Minister of National Security, a position he has held since November 2022 (with a brief two-month gap). This role gives him authority over the Israel Police, the Border Police, and the Israel Prison Service.

The 2025 Political Crisis: Budget Battles and Coalition Leverage

In December 2025, Ben-Gvir demonstrated his significant—and often disruptive—leverage within the government coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The political drama centered on the approval of the 2025 State Budget and the accompanying Economics Arrangements Bill.

Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party initially abstained from key votes and later voted against the budget and related legislation, forcing the coalition to scramble for a majority. His opposition was a calculated move to secure further concessions and funding for his party’s priorities, particularly in the areas of policing and settler security.

The situation highlighted the fragility of the coalition, with opponents arguing that Ben-Gvir was "destroying the government" through his demands. Despite the internal clash, which also saw his party clash with Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party, the budget ultimately passed, but not without confirming Ben-Gvir's status as a necessary, yet volatile, partner for the government's survival.

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The Ultranationalist Policy Agenda: Arming Settlers and Challenging the Status Quo

As Minister of National Security, Ben-Gvir has actively pursued a policy agenda that reflects his ultranationalist and Kahanist roots, focusing on a hard-line approach to security and a strengthening of Jewish presence in contested areas.

1. Expanding Civilian Arming and Settler Conscription

A cornerstone of his tenure has been the push to drastically increase the number of armed Israeli civilians. Ben-Gvir has worked to simplify the process for obtaining personal firearms licenses and has actively sought to "conscript settlers and arm them" against Palestinians, a policy that critics argue exacerbates tensions and fuels violence in the West Bank.

2. The Contested Jerusalem Hilltop Visit (December 2025)

In a move that drew international condemnation and risked igniting a wider conflict, Ben-Gvir visited the contested Jerusalem hilltop compound of Al-Aqsa Mosque (known to Jews as the Temple Mount) in December 2025. He stated his intention was to pray for the return of Jewish religious rights at the site, which is currently governed by a delicate status quo that largely prohibits Jewish prayer.

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In a related action, Ben-Gvir reportedly issued permits to expand Jewish religious rights at the site on December 14, 2025, further challenging the historical arrangement and asserting Israeli security control over the compound.

3. Threats to Demolish Historical Sites

Ben-Gvir has also renewed a highly controversial threat to demolish the tomb of Sheikh Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, a historical figure and a symbol of Palestinian resistance, located in the village of Ya'bad. This threat is viewed by many as a deliberate provocation aimed at escalating religious and national tensions.

4. Stance on Humanitarian Aid Convoys

In a measure that has drawn criticism from international bodies, Ben-Gvir has been accused of withdrawing police protection from humanitarian aid convoys destined for Gaza. This action is seen as aligning with his "total war" platform, which states that war against the enemies of Israel "will be total, without negotiations, without compromise, and without concessions."

5. The Foiled Assassination Plot by Hamas

In one of the most dramatic revelations of his tenure, Israeli security forces, the Shin Bet, announced they had foiled a Hamas-linked plot to assassinate Ben-Gvir. The plot, which was reportedly planned before the major conflict escalation, involved a Hamas cell operating out of the West Bank and intended to use explosive drones to carry out the attack during a holiday prayer. Ben-Gvir publicly responded to the news, declaring that he remains "undeterred" by the assassination attempts, a statement that reinforced his image as a defiant and uncompromising figure.

The Future of Ben-Gvir’s Influence

Itamar Ben-Gvir’s current standing as Minister of National Security gives him the power to implement his vision for a Jewish-centric Israel, marked by a significantly tougher stance on security, a zero-tolerance policy for anti-government dissent, and an expansion of religious-nationalist rights in contested territories.

His actions in late 2025, particularly the political brinkmanship over the state budget and the provocative visit to the Temple Mount, confirm that he is not just a minister but a political force capable of holding the entire government hostage to his demands. As he continues to push the boundaries of Israeli policy, his influence is expected to remain a dominant and volatile factor in both domestic governance and international relations.