In this interview, Ben-Gvir recounts his journey from street activist and police demonstration participant to National Security Minister after 35 years. He describes being arrested and obstructed by police as a young man, with officers themselves encouraging him to pursue a political career in law enforcement to reform the system. Now in office, he claims to be implementing significant changes across multiple security domains: accelerating settlement expansion, restructuring prison management and policies toward detainees he labels as terrorists, deploying rapid response units with enhanced weapons, and establishing a National Guard. He frames these initiatives as proof that political change is achievable and invites public scrutiny of developments in prisons and security operations.
Key Points
- Ben-Gvir transitioned from activist and police critic to National Security Minister after 35 years, fulfilling advice given to him by police officers as a young man to enter government and reform the system.
- He describes implementing what he calls a 'momentum of settlement,' framing this as a major policy initiative under his administration.
- Security restructuring includes changes to prison management and policies toward individuals he describes as terrorists.
- Rapid response units, weapons allocation, and the establishment of a National Guard are presented as key security developments under his tenure.
- He emphasises that visiting prisons provides evidence of operational changes in the security sector.
Article
Hebrew
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National Security Minister Ben-Gvir discusses his transition from activist and police critic to government official, reflecting on how he was told decades ago to enter politics to effect change—which he has now done through settlement initiatives and security policy reforms.
Summary
In this interview, Ben-Gvir recounts his journey from street activist and police demonstration participant to National Security Minister after 35 years. He describes being arrested and obstructed by police as a young man, with officers themselves encouraging him to pursue a political career in law enforcement to reform the system. Now in office, he claims to be implementing significant changes across multiple security domains: accelerating settlement expansion, restructuring prison management and policies toward detainees he labels as terrorists, deploying rapid response units with enhanced weapons, and establishing a National Guard. He frames these initiatives as proof that political change is achievable and invites public scrutiny of developments in prisons and security operations.
Key takeaways
- Ben-Gvir transitioned from activist and police critic to National Security Minister after 35 years, fulfilling advice given to him by police officers as a young man to enter government and reform the system.
- He describes implementing what he calls a 'momentum of settlement,' framing this as a major policy initiative under his administration.
- Security restructuring includes changes to prison management and policies toward individuals he describes as terrorists.
- Rapid response units, weapons allocation, and the establishment of a National Guard are presented as key security developments under his tenure.
- He emphasises that visiting prisons provides evidence of operational changes in the security sector.
Full article
From Activist to Minister
Ben-Gvir recalled being pushed around at demonstrations and arrested by police, who prevented him from doing various things. Police officers, whom he described as often friendly and kind, told him as a young man: "Become a police minister and change this." After 35 years, he said, he became National Security Minister. "Yes, it's possible to change things," he stated. "And we are changing."
Settlements and Security Initiatives
He highlighted what he framed as major changes, including what he called a "momentum of settlement" and significant developments in security policy. He invited people to visit prisons to see what is happening there in relation to what he called "terrorists." He also mentioned rapid response units, weapons, and the National Guard—saying there is much to report in these areas.
Topics#Israeli politics and security ministry#Settlement policy#Prison reform and detention policy#Law enforcement and rapid response units#National Guard establishment#Political activism to government transition