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2022

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After initial statements of concern about the inclusion of the racist/fascistic Religious Zionism party in Israel’s next government, the Israel lobby has congratulated Netanyahu on his inevitable return to power and rationalized the presence of the ultra-right wing faction personified by Itamar Ben-Gvir. Separating Ben-Gvir from the Israeli government and doing business as usual will be a “huge achievement” for Israel, says David Makovsky.

Members of the Lions' Den hold their weapons next to a flag flying the Lions' Den logo during a memorial service of Mohammed al-Azizi and Abdul Rahman Sobh who were killed by Israeli forces, in the West Bank city of Nablus on September 2, 2022. (Photo: Shadi Jarar'ah/ APA Images)

The Lions’ Den was relatively unknown outside of Nablus until a few months ago but today they have gained hero-like status across Palestine — for leading a revival of armed resistance against Israeli colonialism. This is their story.

Itamar Ben-Gvir leads incursion into the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, January 3, 2023. (Photo: Social Media)

Israel’s boosters across the political spectrum are panicking over the far-right’s victory in Israel’s election, and the reactions are telling. “We cannot remain silent knowing the enormous impact that the words and actions of Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich as senior ministers would have on the US-Israeli relationship,” writes Israel lobby stalwarts Dennis Ross and David Makovsky.