The tumultuous landscape of Middle Eastern politics has once again brought into the spotlight Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's National Security Minister who has become a controversial figure in recent years. The far-right politician, known for his polarizing views, has been the subject of numerous misinformation campaigns, including recent claims about his injury and the supposed death of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's brother, Iddo Netanyahu, in an Iranian airstrike.
These rumors, which have circulated widely on social media, have been debunked as misinformation . The false claims included allegations that David Barnea, the head of Mossad, was also targeted by Iran alongside Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir. Such misinformation has only added to the already tense situation in the Middle East, where disinformation campaigns are rampant amidst escalating tensions . As the minister of National Security since 2022, except for a brief period in early 2025, Ben-Gvir has been at the center of various controversies, often finding himself in the eye of the political storm .
Ben-Gvir's leadership of the far-right party Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) has been a contentious issue, both within Israel and internationally. Otzma Yehudit is known for its extremist views, including Kahanism and anti-Arab sentiments, which have sparked widespread criticism. Despite these controversies, the party secured six seats in the 2022 legislative elections, reflecting a significant, though relatively small, fraction of Israeli society's ultra-nationalist sentiments .
Replacing Ben-Gvir's tenure in the ministerial position has been a target of much debate, especially following an incident where he was accused of interfering with police work. The Israeli High Court of Justice ordered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to explain why he had not dismissed Ben-Gvir from his position as National Security Minister . This decision highlights the increasing scrutiny and pressure on Netanyahu's government to address the concerns surrounding Ben-Gvir's actions and the potential implications for Israel's national security .
Ben-Gvir's recent resignation from Netanyahu’s Cabinet in protest over the Gaza ceasefire deal further exemplifies his volatile presence in Israeli politics. The resignation, though not threatening the ceasefire, has weakened Netanyahu's governing coalition .
