Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir recently made a visit to the United States that sparked controversy. During his visit, he engaged with Jewish groups, law enforcement officials, politicians, and also encountered confrontations with protesters.
The shouting critics, however, did not appear to bother Ben-Gvir, who was a right-wing activist in his youth.
Ben-Gvir sat down with Fox News Digital to discuss his trip to the U.S., emphasizing his visits to Mar-a-Lago, Yale, and New York. He highlighted a noticeable shift in the relationship between Israel and the U.S. following the return of President Donald Trump to the White House.
Reflecting on his experiences, Ben-Gvir pointed out, “During Biden’s administration, I was not well-received. However, under Trump, I received a warm welcome at Mar-a-Lago and had the opportunity to express my views.” He emphasized the significance of having “a U.S. president who is supportive and stands by us, especially during times of conflict.”
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir arrives for a cabinet meeting at the prime minister’s office in Jerusalem on Aug. 27, 2023. (MENAHEM KAHANA/Pool via REUTERS)
Since Oct. 7, Israel has seen a rise in applications for firearm permits. While Ben-Gvir worked to streamline the handgun application process prior to the attacks, he instituted additional reforms after the massacre. According to the Times of Israel, these reforms included changes to military service requirements for those seeking a license. Additionally, he expanded eligibility requirements to include national service members who have no criminal record, history of violence or mental health issues.
“We need to allow as many citizens as possible to be armed. It gives people a sense of security—when someone has a weapon in their pocket, they feel safer,” Ben-Gvir told Fox News Digital.
He added that he had been fighting to arm communities near Gaza but said people “didn’t listen to me. After Oct. 7, I was proven right. It became clear how necessary it was to provide more weapons to civil defense squads.”
However, he is proud of his work distributing weapons in the area near Gaza and establishing civil defense squads there. “Thank God, it’s working,” he said.
Amelie Botbol contributed to this report.
