Ben-Gvir and Smotrich: Israel’s clear symbol of fascist elements

By: M. Gholami

Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich's ascension to power elicited widespread apprehension among international observers. According to various Israeli, Arabic, and Western experts, the rise of a right-wing government and the subsequent empowerment of politicians such as Smotrich and Ben-Gvir could have significant implications for the Zionist regime's diplomatic relations with Western countries, particularly the United States. In a swift turn of events, Netanyahu has emerged victorious in the fifth consecutive election held in the Palestinian occupied territories. With the backing of extreme parties, he has successfully formed a right-wing coalition government.

According to Yoni Ben-Menachem, a distinguished Israeli expert, the outcome of the Israeli elections has left the US administration feeling quite disheartened. In a calculated move, President Joe Biden extended his congratulations to Benjamin Netanyahu, a full two months after his election victory. Biden's congratulatory message was marked by a distinct air of caution, signalling a strained relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv. Biden conveyed his congratulations to Netanyahu while also emphasising Washington's unwavering commitment to the two-state solution. He further expressed opposition to policies that might impede the implementation of this solution or contradict what he perceived as the common interests and shared values of both the United States and the Zionist regime.

The recent remarks made by Joe Biden and previous warnings from Western and American officials were not solely directed at Benjamin Netanyahu. Rather, they were directed towards the various components of the emerging fascist administration in Israel. The political faction in question has been unapologetic in their use of racist rhetoric towards Palestinians and Arabs living along the Green Line.

Since coming into power, they have vehemently expressed their openly racist intentions towards the Palestinians as well as the broader Arab nations. Some may argue that the current challenges faced by the Netanyahu-led coalition government can be attributed to the controversial moves of Smotrich and Ben-Gvirgue that the current challenges faced by the Netanyahu-led coalition government can be attributed to the controversial moves of Smotrich and Ben-Gvir. During a recent conference in France, Smotrich made a statement regarding the existence of the Palestinian people, stating that there is no such thing as the Palestinian nation.

In previous remarks, he had called for the expulsion of the Palestinian community of Huwara. Furthermore, he directed a series of strongly worded tweets against Ayman Odeh, an Arab member of the Knesset.

The Zionist Minister of National Security, Ben-Gvir, made a strong statement on Twitter, using the term "terrorist" multiple times, which sparked controversy and drawn criticism from some who view his ideas as being aligned with fascist ideology. Odeh, in Ben-Gvir's opinion, constituted a security threat to the Zionist regime. The hardline Zionist politician is fond of using the term "terrorists" to refer to the ongoing struggle of Palestinian resistance against Zionist forces, with the former fighting to protect their homes and fatherland from the latter's encroachment.

In the aftermath of the recent assault on the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque, Itamar Ben-Gvir has once again made incendiary remarks, saying that Israel holds sovereignty over Bayt al-Muqaddas [Jerusalem] and that the warnings issued by Hamas are without merit. He also voiced a desire for the demolition of Khan Al-Ahmar village and the replacement of its Palestinian inhabitants by Zionist settlers.

The recent racist approach exhibited by Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir towards Palestinian civilians has far-reaching implications beyond the borders of occupied Palestine. The recent inflammatory remarks made by Ben-Gvir and his associates have resulted in political complications for Netanyahu both domestically and internationally and put the delicate relationship between the Zionist regime and Arab governments that have signed onto the Abraham Accords in peril, while officials within the Biden administration have voiced their great concern over these statements.

According to Ben-Menachem, the Biden administration has conveyed a stern message to Netanyahu. The message underscores the possible implications of succumbing to the demands of Ben-Gvir and Smotrich regarding critical issues like the political status quo, Al-Aqsa mosque, and Israel's settlement agendas in the West Bank. It is believed that such actions could have an impact on the intricate security coordination between Israel and the United States, particularly in relation to Iran.

The latest Israeli elections have garnered significant attention due to the triumph of the right-wing coalition. For instance, Haaretz has drawn attention to the repercussions of appointing radical figures like Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. The report also questions Netanyahu's ability to reign in the aggressive discourse employed by this rising extremist faction. Ben-Gvir's emergence represents a troubling trend in the Israeli political landscape. Some experts have even gone so far as to describe this phenomenon as "galloping into the abyss," a metaphor for the potential dangers of Israel's new political trajectory.

For more than seven decades, the international community has been aware of the heinous atrocities committed by the Zionist regime. However, the question that arises is the degree to which a politician can embody racism and fascism in their purest form, as, within the Zionist regime itself, there are serious concerns about Ben-Gvir and his allies’ dangerous political objectives.