Outrage Over Rabbi's Honour at Israeli Independence Ceremony
An extremist rabbi who publicly boasted about bulldozing Palestinian homes in Gaza has ignited a firestorm of controversy after being selected to light a torch at Israel's official Independence Day celebrations. Avraham Zarbiv, a military reservist and rabbinical judge, was honoured at the event held on Tuesday at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in attendance.
Ceremony Sparks Condemnation from Rights Groups
Zarbiv was introduced by hosts as a "bulldozer operator on the front lines of fire," and he dedicated the torch-lighting to "those who bring down the bulldozers and the pioneers who break through the enemy and dismantle the terrorist nonsense." His selection has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli rights organisation B'Tselem, Haaretz newspaper, and others, who argue it risks normalising violence against Palestinians.
B'Tselem stated that the accolade, typically reserved for "exemplary citizens" representing the "spirit of the nation," should not have been given to Zarbiv. The group accused Israel of potentially "making genocide part of its official national ethos" through the dehumanisation of Palestinians. Israel denies allegations of genocide, labelling such claims as antisemitic.
Zarbiv's History of Extremist Statements
Zarbiv rose to prominence after sharing videos of himself celebrating the destruction of buildings in Gaza with levity and humour. In previous televised remarks, he declared, "We have crushed them. There are tens of thousands of dead," and in another instance, he was heard saying, "You will have nothing left. We will flatten you and destroy you." His prolific social media presence has even led to the phrase "to Zarbiv" entering Hebrew slang, meaning to completely destroy something.
He has faced prior censure from Israel's judicial watchdog for extremist statements and was the subject of a complaint to the International Criminal Court filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation in January 2025 for alleged war crimes.
Official Responses and Defence
Miri Regev, the ceremony's planner, defended Zarbiv's selection, calling him a "paragon of deep commitment to the nation of Israel, the Torah of Israel and the Land of Israel." She added, "Through his person we are saluting the men and women of the national religious community, who combine leading a life of Torah with service and contribution to the state, and continue leading Israeli society forward out of a deep sense of mission."
However, the Israeli military appeared to distance itself from the choice, stating at a press conference last week that Zarbiv was "not selected in coordination with the IDF" and is not an official representative of the military at the ceremony.
Broader Implications and Criticism
Haaretz newspaper editorialised that Zarbiv's honour reflects a loss of moral direction, stating, "Zarbiv indeed deserves to light an independence day torch: not because he is worthy of the honour, but because Israel has lost its way, its moral compass and its conscience." Dyab Abou Jahjah, cofounder of the Hind Rajab Foundation, told Al Jazeera that the selection was "revealing" and consistent with historical "dispossession and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians."
The incident underscores deep divisions within Israeli society and has drawn international attention, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region as Israel faces widespread condemnation for its actions in Gaza.
