Yigal Amir was the greatest terrorist of the 20th century; Ben-Gvir may overshadow him
It seems that the Minister of National Security is on his way to winning the title of “the greatest terrorist of the twenty-first century.” His achievement in changing the direction of the country may even eclipse Amir’s record. Once again, thank you to millions of Israelis who have brought him this far. It is Israeli society that gave rise to the greatest terrorists of the twentieth century.
By Rogel Alpher • Translated by Sol Salbe
“Yigal Amir was the greatest terrorist of the twentieth century,” asserted former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon. “His achievement in changing the direction of the State of Israel was greater than that of any other lone terrorist in the twentieth century.” A trenchant statement that reminded me — how embarrassing to think about it now — of a conversation I had with a colleague at Haaretz circa 2004. I argued at the time that Ayalon could end up as a prime minister thanks to a winning combination of incisive statements and professional competence.
I was an idiot. For most of the Israeli public, reality is a provocation. Ami Ayalon remained true to reality and lost the public; you don’t win at the ballot box sticking to reality. His assertion that Amir is the greatest terrorist of the twentieth century is accurate. Amir changed the direction of the country in a critical and irreversible way. Not a 180-degrees turn (even Rabin did not evacuate the Hebron settlers after the Baruch Goldstein massacre), but a 100-degrees turn. Sufficient to embark on a direct collision course with an iceberg.
Embedded there, there’s an insight that Ayalon did not mention. Yigal Amir just pulled the trigger. His hands were not on the nation’s helm. He did not turn the ship around on his own. These was the effort of Yigal Amir & Co. He had collaborators. Millions of collaborators. Millions of Israeli citizens who supported Rabin’s assassination. Whether they believed it was justified and advantageous, subscribed to a conspiracy theory, or voted for parties with fascist tendencies (supporting the Occupation is fascism). When someone like Yigal Amir takes the stage to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work as the greatest terrorist of the twentieth century, a long list of producers awaits his deserved thanks to them. Every Israeli who says “settlement in Samaria” instead of “colonising the West Bank” contributes to a change in the direction of the state. If Amir is the greatest terrorist of the twentieth century, it is Israeli society that gave rise to the greatest terrorists of the twentieth century. Like an Olympic medallist, Amir sacrificed a lot but received support from the state. He did not become a champion in a vacuum. This also explains the growth of Netanyahu’s dictatorship — an anti-democratic society by definition.
This also explains Ben-Gvir’s growing power and his success in turning Jewish terrorism into the military wing of Kahanism, which enjoys government patronage. Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar issued a warning letter. History took it all down for posterity, but the present wasn’t as impressed, and it seems that the Minister of National Security is on his way to winning the title of “the greatest terrorist of the twenty-first century.” His achievement in changing the direction of the country may even eclipse Amir’s record. Once again, thank you to millions of Israelis who have brought him this far.
And thanks are also due to Netanyahu. Ben-Gvir and Amir both grew up in the political garden beds that he nurtured. Bibi is not a terrorist, but he certainly knows how to create optimal growing conditions for such people. A particularly successful gardener.
