Israelis Blame Ben-Gvir for Shooting at Jerusalem Synagogue

TEL AVIV – Minister of Security Israel Itamar Ben-Gvir was criticized by Jewish settlers after visiting the site of a deadly shooting in occupied East Jerusalem on Friday night.

According to Israeli media, settlers hold Ben-Gvir responsible for the killing of at least seven Israelis at the hands of Palestinian resident Khairy Alqam.

The attack on the Neve Yaakov settlement was claimed by al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades and came in response to the killing of 10 Palestinians by Israeli soldiers on Thursday in the occupied West Bank.

Dozens of angry settlers confront Ben-Gvir as he visits the attack site. Some of the settlers told him: “This massacre took place under your tenure as minister,” reported Yedioth Ahronoth.

Videos posted on social media show a verbal confrontation between the settler and the Israeli minister, a right-wing extremist who has called for an increase in settlements.

Read: Hamas Shoots Dead 7 Jews in Jerusalem Synagogue, Israel Calls Terrorist Attack

Ben-Gvir is surrounded by police during a confrontation with Jewish settlers.

“They (Palestinians) killed us, it’s in your hands! Death to the terrorists!” some of the settlers shouted as quoted from New ArabSunday (29/1/2023).

Ben-Gvir promised to review security measures before being taken away.

He also demanded that Israelis be allowed to carry weapons, Haaretz reported on its website on Saturday.