FAR-RIGHT FIGURE WHO PRAISED POLTICIANS, ISRAEL’S DEFENSE MINISTER ALSO COMPARRED TO NAZI LEADER
Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been pictured with a far-right figure who made the controversial comments about Israeli politicians.
The three were photographed at a dinner event in New York following the start of the conflict between Israel and Palestine in 2021.
The figure, named Michael Ben-Ari, has been known for his far-right views and has praised Israeli politicians. Specifically, he has spoken positively about far-right politicians such as Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has been accused of making anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab comments, and Avi Maoz, who has been criticized for his anti-LGBTQ+ views.
Ben-Ari has also made inflammatory comments about the LGBTQ+ community and has expressed support for the Israeli settlement movement.
In addition to Bennett and Netanyahu, Ben-Ari has been seen with other high-profile figures, including the president of the Jewish State, Isaac Herzog.
Security experts have expressed concerns about the connections between extremist figures and prominent Israeli politicians. They argue that such ties can undermine the country’s democratic values.
In response to the controversy, the Israeli government has maintained that it is consistently committed to promoting peace and reducing the conflict in the region. However, critics argue that such efforts are compromised by the government’s association with far-right individuals and groups.
Critics have also called for greater transparency and accountability in the Israeli government’s dealings with far-right politicians, citing the potential risks of their views having a disproportionate impact on minority groups.
The pictures surfaced as pressure mounts on Israeli leaders to address growing discontent over the country’s handling of the conflict and internal divisions.