Israeli National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, has proposed the creation of a new security force in Israel that could have a budget of one billion shekels and almost 2,000 officers. The force, dubbed as a national guard, has no clear mandate or purpose yet. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greenlit the proposal, which is viewed as a move for Ben Gvir to back down from his threat to quit the coalition.
A Personal Militia to Crush Political Dissent?
Critics have raised concerns that this new force may be directly subordinate to Ben Gvir and could be used as a personal militia to crush political dissent. A source close to Ben Gvir defended the plan, indicating it would be used to fight crime, particularly offenses emanating from the Arab community. Nonetheless, questions about the need for such a body have been raised given that it appears to duplicate tasks already carried out by the police and Border Police.
Funding for over 1,800 officers has been earmarked for the force. The Border Police is currently utilized as a utility force in various tasks and may return to the police and be called by a different name once the new national guard is created.
Ben Gvir’s Longstanding Calls for National Guard
Ben Gvir has long called for the creation of a national guard under his direct control and seeks to establish a volunteer national guard that would be deployed during times of ethnic unrest. In January, he presented a framework for the national guard having some similar characteristics to an arrangement proposed by his predecessor and former public security minister, Omer Barlev.
A Controversy Over Judicial Overhaul Plan
The announcement about creating this new force comes amidst controversy over Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to delay a plan to weaken Israel’s judiciary. Right-wing politicians and their supporters had called for protests against the judiciary reform. Netanyahu’s decision to delay the bill was likely a strategic move to gain support in competing camps demonstrating their love for their country.
The delay agreement included establishing a National Guard, causing alarm and speculation about extremist elements being allowed to set up their own militia. This was not one of Netanyahu’s main goals declared at the start of his sixth term as prime minister, but he is standing by it because the survival of his coalition depends on it.
Republican Lawmakers Express Security Concerns
Several Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns over the security implications of the judicial overhaul plan proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The decision to weigh in at all demonstrated that discomfort with the overhaul plan extends to both parties.
Senator Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio, and Todd Young are concerned about the national security implications of the fallout over the shakeup. Mitt Romney signed on to a joint bipartisan statement with Democrat Sen. Chris Murphy that welcomed Netanyahu’s decision to pause the overhaul effort. David Friedman, former US President Donald Trump’s ambassador to Israel, has been one of the few Republican voices to weigh in until this week, taking particular issue with the coalition’s legislative effort to allow the Knesset to override decisions made by the Supreme Court.
Joe Biden Rebukes Netanyahu’s Proposed Judicial Overhaul
The controversy has led to a rare public dispute between Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden. Biden rebuked Netanyahu’s proposed judicial overhaul. Moreover, Saudi Arabia has approved a memorandum on granting the kingdom dialog partner status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, building a long-term partnership with China despite US security concerns.
Offensive Ramadan TV Show Drawing Condemnation
In other news, a Ramadan TV show called “London Class” produced by the Saudi state-backed media conglomerate MBC group is drawing condemnation from politicians in Kuwait and Iraq for its offensive depiction of Iraqi women working as maids for Kuwaiti women and being accused of theft.
In conclusion, there are growing concerns over the creation of a new security force under Ben Gvir’s direct control. Some critics fear it could be used as a personal militia to crush political dissent. Moreover, the controversy over judicial overhaul plans proposed by Prime Minister Netanyahu has led to rare public disputes between him and US President Joe Biden.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
