National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said Wednesday that no one should “touch a hair on the head” of Supreme Court President Isaac Amit, condemning violent rhetoric amid rising political tensions.
Speaking on Kan Reshet Bet radio, Ben Gvir emphasized that while he strongly disagrees with Amit, violence is unacceptable. “We have a serious disagreement with him, but harming him — God forbid — is crossing a line,” he said.
The comments come after Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a political ally of Ben Gvir, used harsh language against the Supreme Court chief, sparking public backlash.
Ben Gvir also responded to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent remarks suggesting that most violent settler extremists are teenagers from broken homes. Ben Gvir rejected that characterization.
“Most of the hilltop youth don’t come from broken homes,” he said, referring to young settlers involved in illegal outposts. While acknowledging that a small number engage in violence, Ben Gvir described most as “sweet kids who love the country.”
He added that even those who come from difficult backgrounds should not be stigmatized, saying rehabilitation and commitment to the land are positive outcomes.
The comments reflect ongoing divisions within Israel’s leadership over judicial authority, settler violence, and the tone of political discourse.
