Itamar Ben-Gvir leaves Independence Day ceremony after being asked to change seats
The Jerusalem Post • • world
Key Points:
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his wife left the Mount Herzl torch-lighting ceremony angrily after being asked to change seats, as Ben-Gvir had occupied a seat reserved for Argentine President Javier Milei.
- Ben-Gvir had assigned seats in the "distinguished gallery" but chose to leave the event entirely following the seating dispute.
- MK Tally Gotliv was also involved in a confrontation after being told she did not have a reserved seat in the designated section.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sat next to Milei during the ceremony, which marked Israel's 78th Independence Day under the theme "Strengths of Renewal."
- The event featured torch bearers including Brig. Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch, entrepreneur Gili Raanan, chef Assaf Granit, and filmmaker Moshe Edri, along with performances and tributes to wounded IDF soldiers and their families.
