29 Apr ITAMAR BEN-GVIR VISITS THE U.S. —AND SHAKES THINGS UP IN BROOKLYN AND BEYOND
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit to the United States this past week sent shockwaves through Jewish communities and political circles alike. From impassioned speeches and packed shuls to heated protests on Ivy League campuses and outside 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, his presence sparked strong reactions. Love him or loathe him, one thing is clear: he cannot be ignored.
Yes, I know his name sends shivers down many spines. I know the headlines, the controversies, the labels—extremist, dangerous, fascist. I know some fear his vision could tear Israeli society apart. But the truth—raw, unfiltered truth—has always been dangerous. Ben-Gvir isn’t just a politician. He’s a symbol. A spark. A storm. And storms are feared before they’re understood.
Ben-Gvir’s U.S. itinerary included meetings with Republican officials, including a reported dinner at Mar-a-Lago, where he advocated for bombing Gaza’s food and aid depots to exert military and political pressure on Hamas. He also spoke at Shabtai, an unofficial Yale University organization, where his appearance led to heated protests and sparked intense backlash. Protesters—students, faculty, and activists—showed up in force. As he exited the event, demonstrators hurled water bottles. The scene was
chaotic, but not unexpected. After all, Ben-Gvir walked straight into the heart of America’s anti-Israel storm—unflinching, unafraid, and unapologetic.
His itinerary also included a warm reception from Jewish communities across Brooklyn. He was welcomed at 770—the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters in Crown Heights— dined with supporters at Essen Deli on Avenue J, visited the Ohel of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, spent Shabbos and spoke in numerous shuls in the Five Towns, and spoke on Motzei Shabbos at private gatherings, including one at Ben Lander’s home. This past Sunday, he met with leaders of the Syrian Jewish community in Brooklyn.
However, his visit also drew fierce protests, including confrontations outside 770 and Shaarei Zion, as well as the uproar at Yale.
For me, though, this wasn’t just another public event—it was personal. Ben-Gvir is a close friend of my father, Alan Hirsch. They speak several times a week and have shared many family simchas. A couple of years ago, Ben-Gvir and a group of friends surprised my father with an unforgettable 70th birthday celebration, attended by several Knesset members. My father often spends Shabbos at his home. This isn’t political theory—it’s lived experience. I’ve seen the man behind the headlines.
Carrying the Legacy of Kahane
Ben-Gvir proudly calls himself a disciple of Rabbi Meir Kahane, zt”l. Kahane’s voice thundered against Jewish weakness and exile-mindedness. But Ben-Gvir is not nearly as radical as Rav Kahane once was. As a lawyer, he’s careful not to repeat Kahane’s mistakes. Though Kahane’s voice was silenced, his message still burns in the hearts of those who believe Jewish dignity must never be compromised. Ben-Gvir doesn’t run from that legacy—he carries it, studies it, and embodies it. Not out of nostalgia, but out of necessity.
As Minister of National Security, he’s confronted illusions others tiptoe around. He took a system that once coddled terrorists and reshaped it into a chamber of justice. He didn’t just enforce the law—he redefined accountability. He sent a clear message: Jewish blood is no longer cheap.
Ben-Gvir has also played a critical role in strengthening the security of Yehuda and Shomron, prioritizing the safety of Jewish communities in these areas that have often been vulnerable to terrorist attacks. His leadership has included increased military presence and decisive action against threats in the West Bank, ensuring that Jewish residents feel protected and secure.
And he’s made that message more than symbolic. Among his many controversial reforms, he ordered convicted terrorists to listen to Hatikvah—Israel’s national anthem—on repeat. Critics called it provocative. Supporters called it justice. He took away the cakes and pita the terrorists were enjoying while Israeli hostages were starving.
Either way, it was unmistakably Ben-Gvir: bold, direct, and unwilling to let the enemies of the Jewish people feel comfortable behind bars.
This past week, that message echoed far beyond Israel’s borders.
Standing Tall Across New York
Ben-Gvir’s presence was electric. At the Chabad-Lubavitch world headquarters in Crown Heights, he delivered a speech that was briefly interrupted by a protester shouting “Free Palestine.” Outside, tensions flared between demonstrators and local Chassidim,
resulting in six arrests. Inside, Ben-Gvir continued speaking—reportedly smirking when a heckler called him a Nazi. Nothing could shake him.
Although the Young Israel of Woodmere canceled his scheduled appearance— reasons vary depending on whom you ask—he still spoke at three shuls in the Five Towns over Shabbos. The crowds were enthusiastic, and the support was overwhelming.
Word began spreading on Motzei Shabbos that his Sunday morning meeting with Syrian Jewish leaders in Brooklyn would face major protests in front of Shaarei Zion on Ocean Parkway. Initially, there was talk of canceling the meeting—but instead, organizers quietly changed the venue. On Sunday morning, Ben-Gvir met with members of the Syrian Jewish community in Brooklyn. The welcome was warm, sincere, and proud.
Whether or not you agree with his politics, his influence is undeniable— and his following is growing. Not in spite of the backlash, but because of it. People are craving something real. And Ben-Gvir is nothing if not real.
More Than Politics
But what stirs me most isn’t just his policies—it’s his faith. And yes—he davens on Har HaBayis at least once a month with his Rav, Rav Dov Lior.
Where others hesitate, he ascends. Not for spectacle. Not for headlines. But because he believes the soul of Israel lives there—in the dust of that mountain, in the wind between the stones. He davens not to be seen, but to touch Heaven from the very place our ancestors dreamed of returning to.
Most people don’t agree with everything Ben-Gvir says or does. He’s not without flaws, and neither is his approach. But his popularity is surging. Projections suggest he could lead the third-largest party in Israel’s next election, with as many as 15 seats.
He’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But he’s good for Klal Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. He brings something vital—something fierce, unapologetic, and rooted in Jewish strength. In a world where our enemies are bold, we can’t afford to be timid.
We need someone in the streets who carries the fire of Rabbi Meir Kahane— not just in ideology, but in action. Someone who reminds us that Jewish pride, safety, and sovereignty are non-negotiable.
That doesn’t mean blind loyalty. It means recognizing the role he plays in a moment that demands courage more than consensus.