Itamar Ben Gvir Clashes with Journalist Amit Segal at Jerusalem Conference
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir clashed with journalist Amit Segal at the Jerusalem Conference over prison conditions, political strategy, and his past support for Baruch Goldstein.
Verbal Duel at the Jerusalem Conference
At the Jerusalem Conference organized by the "B'Sheva" group, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was interviewed by prominent political journalist Amit Segal. The interview quickly escalated into a direct personal and political confrontation, covering "Otzma Yehudit" election strategy, prison conditions for security inmates, and the controversial conduct of MK Tally Gotliv.
The interview opened with Segal asking whether Ben Gvir's continued tenure in the government poses a danger to Israel. The minister chose to address the question on a personal level:
"You somewhat despise me. You don't like my style, you don't like my actions. But when you think about it, my colleague Bezalel Smotrich often does similar things, and I haven't heard you attack him with such fury. You know what? On the contrary, Bezalel is running independently now, so you will have someone to vote for, while I appeal to a broader audience."
Segal responded briefly: "I do not despise any Jew." Ben Gvir's attack followed a recent column by Segal in which he wrote that another government with Itamar Ben Gvir in a senior position would be a disaster for Israel.
Debate on Populism and Prison Deterrence
Segal pressed the minister on his actual achievements for the public beyond generating social media engagement and political mandates. Ben Gvir replied:
"First of all, our mandates are growing, thank God. You can applaud. But yes, I want to tell you, Amit, enough with this fake state-mindedness. For too many years we wanted to look nice. When we come with determination and say that the terrorists in our prisons are suffering—well, it works."
Ben Gvir argued that releasing footage of harsh prison conditions serves as an active deterrent against terrorism. He claimed that potential attackers in the West Bank and Gaza now think twice because "Ben Gvir is crazy" and prisons are no longer comfortable. On diplomatic issues, he reiterated that a Palestinian state is an existential threat, adding that he is willing to absorb any personal sanctions to block its creation.
Support for Tally Gotliv and Past Controversies
During the political discussion, the minister expressed strong support for Likud MK Tally Gotliv, calling her a "queen" who fights the deep state and declaring that she deserves to be a cabinet minister. Segal dismissed this, arguing that her loud conduct merely deafens the public and pointing to her chaotic run for the Judicial Selection Committee as a failure.
Toward the end of the interview, Segal raised the issue of the portrait of Dr. Baruch Goldstein that once hung in the minister's home, asking why he removed it if he stood by his past views. Ben Gvir responded:
"I did not think, and I do not think, that murdering an Arab is a good thing. When I realized that was the message the portrait sent, I took it down. I do think that killing terrorists is a great commandment."
When Segal asked directly whether Ben Gvir believed Baruch Goldstein had killed terrorists, the minister chose to evade the question and refused to provide a direct assessment of Goldstein's actions.
