The deputy speaker of Israel’s Knesset, Nissim Vaturi, has sparked controversy by declaring that the ultranationalist rabbi Meir Kahane was justified in his beliefs. During a parliamentary debate on Wednesday, Vaturi, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s Likud party, criticized former party leaders for excluding Kahane’s views from mainstream discourse. His remarks come at a time when tensions surrounding Israel’s political landscape are rising.
Vaturi openly expressed support for Kahane, who founded the Kach movement, which has been banned as a terrorist organization. Responding to colleagues who labeled Kahane a terrorist and questioned whether he endorsed “Jewish terror,” Vaturi stated, “I support it. Believe me, Kahane was right in many ways where we were wrong, where the people of Israel were wrong.” He argued that past Likud leaders should have engaged with Kahane’s ideas, particularly regarding the challenges posed by Arabs and terrorists along Israel’s borders.
Kahane, a controversial figure, was elected to the Knesset in 1984 after his party secured a single seat. His tenure was marked by hostility from other lawmakers, who often walked out during his speeches. The former rabbi advocated for a Jewish theocracy and introduced racially charged bills that were rejected. By the 1988 elections, Kahane’s party was disqualified from participating in Israeli politics due to its inflammatory rhetoric. He was assassinated in New York City on November 5, 1990, and his movement was designated a terrorist organization in 1994 following a deadly attack by one of his followers, Baruch Goldstein, who killed 29 Palestinians in Hebron.
Vaturi’s comments have drawn swift condemnation from various sectors. Naama Lazimi, a member of the Knesset representing the Democratic party, called for a criminal investigation into Vaturi for his support of a terrorist organization. In a social media post, she remarked, “There is a clear line between the escalation of Jewish terror in the territories and the normalization of Kahane in the Israeli Knesset. Netanyahu has turned the Knesset building into a breeding ground for Kahanists; we will clean it up.”
Even within the Likud party, some members voiced disapproval of Vaturi. Moshe Saada, also a Likud MP, stated on Army Radio that previous leaders were right to ostracize Kahane, emphasizing that his views were incompatible with democratic values. “When he spoke, they left the plenum because Kahane was not a democrat, was racist, and so he was the exact opposite of Likud’s values,” Saada explained.
The implications of Vaturi’s remarks extend beyond the Knesset. Anton Shalhat, chair of the I’lam Media Center, which supports Palestinian journalists in Israel, suggested that Vaturi’s comments highlight a growing acceptance of Kahanist ideology within Israeli society. “Whenever there is a national confrontation, slogans like ‘Kahane was right’ appear on the streets,” he noted. Shalhat pointed out that while support for such ideas was once covert, it is now openly expressed and increasingly legitimized in political discourse.
Vaturi’s statements follow recent events involving members of the national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir‘s party, the Jewish Power party, who attended a conference commemorating the 35th anniversary of Kahane’s death. Ben-Gvir, a former member of Kach and an admirer of Kahane, has previously expressed support for the annexation of the West Bank.
The rising visibility of Kahanist ideology is evident, as both Kahane and Goldstein have become revered figures among far-right settlers in Israel. Goldstein’s grave at the settlement of Kiryat Arba is frequently visited during national holidays, symbolizing the enduring influence of their beliefs.
Shalhat emphasized that the political landscape in Israel has shifted significantly, with far-right ideologies now gaining traction and influencing mainstream politics. He stated, “What is new today is that the far right now openly embraces these extremist, populist, and fascist ideas without the slightest sense of shame.” Shalhat noted that this shift has resulted in a political climate where those who disagree with far-right views, including Jews, are increasingly viewed as adversaries.
The evolving dynamics of Israeli politics reflect a broader trend towards the right, particularly since the year 2000. Shalhat observed that while traditional right-wing parties like Likud have diminished, centrist figures have emerged who lean slightly to the right, leaving a void for more extreme views to flourish.
