After Deadly Beersheba Attack, Ben Gvir Urges Demolition of Terrorists’ Homes

In the wake of a deadly shooting at Beersheba’s central bus station that left one Border Police officer dead, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has called for stricter measures against the families of terrorists. The victim, 19-year-old Border Police officer Shira Suslik, was killed while confronting the shooter, identified as Ahmad al-Uqbi, an Israeli citizen from a Bedouin community. Al-Uqbi was killed by responding security forces at the scene.

Speaking from the site of the attack, Ben Gvir called on the state to demolish the homes of Israeli citizens involved in terror attacks. “We are at war. There are many Bedouin loyal to the state but there are some who are not,” Ben Gvir said. “Those who are disloyal should be dealt with firmly,” he added, including by demolishing their homes.

Here is what you need to know

The attack, which resulted in 10 others being wounded, has intensified calls from Ben Gvir and others for harsher penalties, not just for attackers but for their relatives as well. “I call on the prime minister to today pass the law we proposed to deport the families of terrorists,” Ben Gvir urged, arguing that such incidents are part of a recurring pattern.

Authorities have not confirmed media reports linking al-Uqbi to Muhanad Alukabi, who carried out a similar attack at the same bus station in October 2015, though the possibility of familial ties has been raised.

Ben Gvir also expressed condolences to Suslik’s family, hailing her and her fellow officers as "the heroes of Israel." Reflecting on lessons from recent events, he stressed, “I think the big lesson from October 7 is that there must be no more being humane, no forgiveness.”

The politician’s comments have sparked debate about the balance between security measures and civil liberties, as calls for stricter policies in the wake of attacks continue to grow.