Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sparked controversy by boasting about actions taken against Palestinian communities. He specifically cited the confiscation of loudspeakers from mosques and the demolition of homes in the Negev region.
In statements made on Telegram, Ben-Gvir shared videos of his visits to the Negev, accompanied by police forces. He stated that those who engage in ‘riots’ in the Negev mistakenly believe that firing upon Israeli towns will deter law enforcement from demolishing ‘illegal’ homes and enforcing noise restrictions on mosques.
“They are making a grave mistake,” Ben-Gvir asserted. “We are determined to restore order to the Negev.” He vowed to continue his policy of demolishing illegal structures and promised to maintain a visible and responsive presence in the region.
While no explicit law prohibits the *adhan* (call to prayer), Ben-Gvir and other far-right figures have claimed that the sound constitutes noise pollution and have advocated for the confiscation of loudspeakers. Ben-Gvir further boasted of doing what he claimed had not been done in 30 years, including demolishing over 5,000 illegal structures, deploying the National Guard, and disrupting wedding celebrations involving gunfire.
Ben-Gvir, who has been in office since late 2022, has faced criticism for his increasingly inflammatory rhetoric. He has previously called for the execution of Palestinian prisoners, the annexation of the occupied West Bank, and the re-establishment of settlements in the Gaza Strip.
In addition to the actions in Negev, Ben-Gvir has also called for the assassination of senior Palestinian Authority leaders and the arrest of President Mahmoud Abbas, citing the PA’s efforts to gain international recognition. The opposition claims that Ben-Gvir is seeking to dominate the police force.
DZWatch continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as they become available. This is a developing story.
