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Itamar Ben-Gvir

The latest news and top stories on Itamar Ben-Gvir, an Israeli far-right politician and lawyer. He leads the Otzma Yehudit party, known for its ultranationalist and Kahanist ideology. As Minister of National Security, a role he has held since 2022, he oversees Israel’s police and paramilitary border police, with responsibilities including combating nationalist crime and terrorism. His tenure has seen efforts to relax gun ownership laws and establish a National Guard. Ben-Gvir has a background defending Jewish extremists and has faced convictions for incitement to racism. He publicly criticised the resumption of aid to Gaza.

People gather to greet freed Palestinian prisoners arriving on buses after their release from Israeli jails. On Monday, Israel approved the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis. Photo: AP

Israel-Gaza war

Israel approves death penalty for Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis

The law makes the death penalty – by hanging – the default punishment for West Bank Palestinians convicted for nationalistic killings.

31 Mar 2026 - 11:42AM

Israel

UN accuses Israel of subjecting Palestinians in West Bank to ‘apartheid’

7 Jan 2026 - 7:06PM

Israel-Gaza war

Israeli strike in Lebanon kills Hezbollah operative amid tensions with UN peacekeepers

17 Nov 2025 - 4:58PMvideocam

Israel

Netanyahu faces backlash over US-backed statement on Palestinian independence

The statement indicating support for a pathway to a Palestinian state infuriated Netanyahu’s conservative and ultranationalist allies.

17 Nov 2025 - 6:23AM

Israel

Israeli settlers torch West Bank mosque sparking US concern

Israeli settlers torched a mosque, defacing it with hateful graffiti, prompting rare condemnations from officials amid rising tensions.

14 Nov 2025 - 12:15AM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel arrests military’s former top lawyer for leaking abuse video

Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi’s resignation and hours-long disappearance had sparked media speculation about a possible suicide attempt.

4 Nov 2025 - 3:29PM

Israel-Gaza war

‘Insult’: Vance slams Israeli vote on West Bank annexation

The US vice-president says a move by Israeli lawmakers towards that end looks like a stupid ‘political stunt’.

23 Oct 2025 - 11:20PM

Israel

Israel advances West Bank annexation bill during J.D. Vance visit

The UN’s highest court said that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, and its settlements there are illegal.

23 Oct 2025 - 12:52AM

Israel-Gaza war

Trump and Israel warn of resumed fighting in Gaza if Hamas does not respect deal

US president says ‘Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word’, as Hamas falls short handing over remains of dead hostages.

16 Oct 2025 - 10:07AM

Israel-Gaza war

Aid resumes in Gaza with Rafah crossing set to reopen after hostage body dispute

The dispute over the return of bodies still has the potential to upset the ceasefire deal, along with other yet to be resolved issues.

15 Oct 2025 - 11:45PMvideocam

Trucks loaded with humanitarian aid wait on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, before being allowed into the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Israel-Gaza war

End to Gaza hostilities looms after Israel government approves deal with Hamas

Approval sets a 24-hour clock for hostilities to suspend and 72 hours for the release of all remaining Israeli hostages.

10 Oct 2025 - 10:18AM

Palestinian children celebrate at a camp for displaced people in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on Thursday following news of a new Gaza ceasefire deal. Photo: AFP

Malaysia

Toilet water, snatched hijabs: Malaysian activists recount Israeli detention

Malaysians who were part of a Gaza aid flotilla say they were humiliated and denied basic rights, forcing them to drink from a toilet.

8 Oct 2025 - 2:49PM

Israel-Gaza war

Some Gaza flotilla activists allege mistreatment while being detained in Israel

Israel’s Foreign Ministry refuted the claims as ‘brazen lies’, stating all detainees’ legal rights were ‘fully upheld’.

6 Oct 2025 - 10:58AM

Israel-Gaza war

Israeli court says government not giving Palestinian prisoners enough food

Unanimous decision rules that inmates must receive more food, a rare rebuke of Israel’s actions during the nearly two-year Gaza conflict.

8 Sep 2025 - 9:04AM

A truck packed with bound and blindfolded Palestinian detainees in Gaza in December, 2023. File photo: Haaretz via AP

Israel-Gaza war

Israel demands full hostage release after Hamas backs new Gaza truce

New proposal reportedly includes 60-day truce and partial hostage release as pressure mounts on Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war.

20 Aug 2025 - 9:04AMvideocam

Demonstrators hold placards as they block a road during a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Israel-Gaza war

Israel’s Netanyahu says new Gaza offensive will start soon

Israeli prime minister says his only choice is to seize Gaza City, as the UN Security Council hears new calls for ceasefire and aid.

11 Aug 2025 - 12:24PM

Israel-Gaza war

Israeli minister prays at flashpoint holy site as 33 aid-seekers killed in Gaza

Itamar Ben-Gvir visits Jerusalem’s Temple Mount and calls for Gaza reoccupation.

4 Aug 2025 - 11:10AM

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