Israeli lawmaker Ben-Gvir's wife pictured holding gun, tells public 'deal with it'

Far-right Israeli lawmaker and politician Itamar Ben-Gvir’s wife has been photographed carrying a gun.

Ayala Ben-Gvir was seen carrying a gun as she posed for a picture with the wives of other Israeli politicians – including Sara Netanyahu wife of incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Israeli media.

"I live in Hebron, a mother of six sweet children and travel through terror-infested roads, and am married to the most threatened man in the country, so yes, I have a gun. Deal with it," an unverified account in Ayala’s name tweeted on Tuesday.

Israeli media said the tweet was written by the lawmaker's wife, but The New Arab could not verify the authenticity of the Twitter account.

The image and defiant response will likely garner even more controversy for Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose likely appointment as a minister in Benjamin Netanyahu's new coalition government is 'worrying' some of his political peers.

Ben-Gvir flashed a gun at Palestinians last October when visiting occupied East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah district.

The ultra-nationalist, who leads the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, was seen pulling out a weapon and shouting at local residents in the neighbourhood where Palestinians have struggled to save their homes from Israeli expulsion orders.  

Ben-Gvir has also reportedly called on Israeli forces to use live fire on Palestinians throwing stones, a night after he threatened to mow down a group of Palestinians also in Sheikh Jarrah.

Elected in 2021, Ben-Gvir has brought attention to himself through deliberate provocations against Palestinians.

He is a fierce supporter of Rabbi Meir Kahane, who was known for his anti-Palestinian racism and Jewish supremacist ideology. 

Although originally a fringe player, Ben-Gvir's popularity surged ahead of the November elections, in part thanks to backing from PM Benjamin Netanyahu.