Israel Minister Defends Rabbi Pick After Gaza Home Demolition Videos
Israel is facing mounting backlash after selecting a rabbi known for demolishing Palestinian homes to light a torch at its Independence Day ceremony. The decision is drawing global attention as the Gaza war continues.
At the center is Rabbi Avraham Zarbiv, a reservist bulldozer operator whose videos from Gaza show him destroying civilian buildings. Human rights groups say elevating him signals something far beyond recognition.
According to The Guardian and Al Jazeera, Zarbiv previously claimed he demolished “50 homes a week” and used rhetoric about flattening entire Gaza region. The annual torch-lighting ceremony is one of Israel’s most symbolic national events.
The controversy deepened after Israel’s own military distanced itself, saying Zarbiv was not selected in coordination with the IDF, even as a cabinet minister defended him publicly.
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“This selection sends a clear message … that war crimes are the ‘spirit of the nation,’” B’Tselem said.
The dispute is unfolding as UN estimates show nine in ten homes in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, amplifying scrutiny of how military actions are represented internationally.
Analysts say the moment could impact how Israel is viewed in ongoing legal and diplomatic arenas, where accusations tied to the war are already under review.
The torch-lighting ceremony is expected to proceed, but the fallout may extend well beyond the event itself.
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