Itamar Ben-Gvir's Promotion of Border Police Commander Amid Controversial Killings

On November 30, 2023, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's National Security Minister and leader of the far-right Jewish Power Party, promoted a Border Police commander, identified as “K,” following the controversial killings of two unarmed Palestinian men, Al-Muntasir Abdullah, 26, and Youssef Asasa, 37, in Jenin. The incident, which occurred during an Israeli military operation, was captured on video and showed the men surrendering with their hands raised before being shot at point-blank range.

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The video evidence depicts Abdullah and Asasa emerging from a building, complying with orders to show they were unarmed. Despite their apparent surrender, they were shot and killed by Israeli forces. Palestinian authorities condemned the actions as a "cold-blooded execution," and the United Nations described the killings as a "summary execution." The Israeli army acknowledged the incident and stated that an investigation would be launched, although such investigations rarely lead to prosecution.

Ben-Gvir's visit to the unit's base to personally notify the commander of his promotion has drawn significant criticism. He expressed full support for the unit involved in the shooting, stating that the soldiers acted as expected. This promotion is seen as unusual, as commanders in the police typically hold lower ranks. Critics argue that this action endorses a culture of impunity within the Israeli military and police forces, particularly regarding their treatment of Palestinians.

Human rights organizations, including B’Tselem and Yesh Din, have documented a pattern of violence against Palestinians, asserting that the killings in Jenin are not isolated incidents but part of a broader systemic issue. Critics highlight that the Israeli military's internal investigations into such incidents often result in minimal accountability, with only a small fraction of complaints leading to indictments. Aida Touma-Suleiman, a Palestinian member of the Knesset, emphasized the challenges faced by those who attempt to address these issues within Israel.

In response to the incident, Ben-Gvir stated, “Terrorists must die,” reinforcing his support for the military's actions. The Israeli police confirmed that an investigation was underway, but skepticism remains regarding the effectiveness of such inquiries. The International Court of Justice had previously declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories illegal, further complicating the narrative surrounding military actions in the West Bank.

While the Israeli army admitted to the shootings, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain contentious. Palestinian authorities and human rights groups assert that the men were executed while surrendering, while Israeli officials have defended the actions of the soldiers involved. The lack of transparency in military investigations adds to the uncertainty regarding accountability for such incidents.

• “acted exactly as expected of them – terrorists must die.” — Itamar Ben-Gvir, National Security Minister

• “We are appalled at the brazen killing by Israeli border police yesterday of two Palestinian men in Jenin,” — Jeremy Laurence, UN Rights Office Spokesman

The promotion of the Border Police commander amid such serious allegations has sparked widespread debate about the Israeli military's conduct and the broader implications for Israeli-Palestinian relations.