Ankara: Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has boasted about mistreating Arab Israelis inside their homes in the cities of Lod and Ramla in central Israel, as shown in a video released on Thursday. The footage depicts Ben-Gvir, who heads the far-right Jewish Power Party, storming homes belonging to Arab Israelis in both cities.
According to Anadolu Agency, the video posted on the US social media platform X reveals residents of Palestinian descent being forced to lie on the ground with their hands tied behind their heads and their eyes blindfolded. The minister is also seen entering a family's home where children and women were present, showcasing the aggressive nature of the raids.
Ben-Gvir stated that he was "on a tour with special forces, police and Border Police in the Jawarish neighborhood in Ramla and a neighborhood in Lod." He justified the arrests and raids as a means to confront what he described as "the plague of widespread crime in the Arab community in Israel."
Arab Israelis, who constitute approximately 20% of the population, have consistently complained of systematic discrimination in various aspects of life. The extremist minister, known for his anti-Palestinian rhetoric, frequently publishes videos depicting his mistreatment of Palestinian citizens within Israel.