Maariv has released its list of the ten most influential figures of the year, with President-elect Donald Trump claiming the top spot and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu securing second place. The list continues with Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara in third and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir in fourth.
The publication clarified its ranking of Ben-Gvir, stating, “Love him or hate him, but one thing is clear: Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir cannot be ignored. Almost all of his actions are controversial – especially in the police, where his opponents claim that he has completed the takeover of the police and its politicization with the appointment of Commissioner Dani Levi. They further allege that he is the almost sole responsible party for the trend of senior officers leaving the Israel Police.”
However, the article emphasized that Ben-Gvir’s key achievements were found in the prisons. “But with all due respect to the police, Ben-Gvir’s most notable achievements were registered in the prisons. He appointed his security adviser Kobi Ya’acobi as the Prisons Service Commissioner and fulfilled his election promise, when he changed the conditions of the terrorists in the Israeli prison from ‘a kindergarten’ to what his associates call ‘the Israeli version of Guantanamo’. The canteens and bakeries were closed, the televisions were removed, and the menus were curtailed.”
Ben-Gvir’s efforts also had a significant impact on Bedouin communities, particularly in the area of illegal construction. “He has also made headlines with a 400% increase in the demolition of illegal construction in Bedouin communities, including the erasure of the village of Umm al-Hiran, are a direct result of his policy, which included personal monitoring of the demolition operations.”
The article noted that Ben-Gvir was pushing the government to lean further right on various issues. “Ben-Gvir, it seems, is pushing the government rightward on almost every issue. He is at the head of the long and unprecedented campaign against Attorney General Gali Behar Meara, who supports his dismissal, and calls on the prime minister to dismiss her. Otzma Yehudit also promoted a bill to reduce the Attorney General’s influence, and Ben-Gvir even claimed that she tried to frame him with a criminal case for the facilitation of licenses for firearms.”
Despite professional criticisms from former police chiefs, Ben-Gvir’s tenure also saw significant changes to civilian firearm policies. “These relaxations are considered a major action in Ben-Gvir’s tenure, despite professional criticism from a long line of former police chiefs, who have carried out a series of relaxations in the criteria for obtaining civilian weapons. The result: some 200,000 private licenses and the establishment of more than 1,000 neighborhood defense units with tens of thousands of long guns.”
Ben-Gvir took a firm stance against any potential agreement with Hamas over hostages. “Ben Gvir was one of the most vocal members of the government against a second hostage deal with Hamas. He waged an intra-governmental battle against what he termed a ‘reckless’ agreement, and threatened that signing such a deal would bring about his immediate resignation from the government. Unlike his detractors, who claim that the government is abandoning the hostages in the tunnels of Gaza, he actually sees this as a great achievement. Concurrently, he expressed unqualified support for an uncompromising policy in Gaza and for a ground invasion of southern Lebanon.”
After Benny Gantz and Gadi Eizenkot left the government, Ben-Gvir insisted on joining the limited cabinet. “After the departure of Benny Gantz and Gadi Eizenkot from the government, Ben-Gvir insisted on being allowed into the limited cabinet. The intransigence (which had precipitated a coalition crisis) paid off, and what had been deemed by all commentators as a non-starter, became reality: Prime Minister Netanyahu, who only two years ago had refused to be seen with Ben-Gvir on the same platform, had brought him into the limited cabinet and had seated him at the most secretive security meetings.”
Looking ahead, it is expected that Ben-Gvir will continue to generate strong reactions from the public, the media, and the Prime Minister, an outcome his supporters will view as a success. “In 2025, Ben-Gvir will continue to provide reasons for concern to the public, the media and the Prime Minister – which his supporters will see as an achievement.”
{Matzav.com}