Faith Meets Fury: Chabad Hassidim Confront Anti-Israel Protesters as Ben-Gvir Speaks in Crown Heights

By: Fern Sidman

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir delivered a powerful and unapologetic address Thursday night at the iconic Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, engaging directly with hundreds of Chabad Hassidim amid fierce protests and heightened political scrutiny. The event marked one of the most visible stops of his U.S. tour, according to a report on te Israel National News web site.

Ben-Gvir’s speech, held at the famed 770 Eastern Parkway, home to the spiritual and administrative nerve center of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, centered on the ongoing war in Gaza, Israel’s long-term security challenges, and the implementation of President Donald Trump’s regional vision for peace.

In a resolute and emotionally charged tone, Ben-Gvir declared that Israel must continue to “act with strength and clarity” in Gaza until the terror infrastructure is dismantled. He repeatedly emphasized the legitimacy of Israel’s actions and positioned them within the broader moral imperative of defending Jewish life.

INN reported that following his address, the Minister participated in a “hisvaadus,” a traditional Chassidic farbrengen gathering, where he engaged in informal discussions with Hassidim, offering reflections on Jewish resilience, Torah values, and national security.

Even before Ben-Gvir arrived at the Crown Heights venue, anti-Israel protesters had begun to assemble outside 770, many waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans including “Free Palestine” and “Zionism is terrorism.” According to Israel National News, tensions escalated quickly as demonstrators confronted Chabad attendees, resulting in verbal clashes and moments of physical shoving.

NYPD officers stationed at the scene worked to separate the groups and ensure the Minister’s arrival and departure went unhindered. No serious injuries were reported, though police later confirmed several citations were issued for disorderly conduct.

Chabad members in attendance described the protest as a deeply disrespectful intrusion on a sacred site, particularly during a spiritual gathering intended to foster unity and support for Israel during wartime, according to the INN report.

Earlier on Thursday, Ben-Gvir held a closed-door policy briefing in Manhattan with Jewish community leaders, students, journalists, and business professionals, during which he discussed his positions on a wide range of topics — including Trump’s Gaza resettlement plan, voluntary emigration of Gazan civilians, and the future of Israeli governance in the region.

During the session, an anti-Israel protester burst into the room, screamed “Ben-Gvir is a Nazi,” and loudly shouted “Free Palestine” before being swiftly escorted out by the Minister’s security team, as was reported by INN.

Ben-Gvir, characteristically unfazed, responded with a smirk, earning applause from supporters in the room. According to Israel National News, this disruption only sharpened the audience’s attention to the Minister’s unapologetically hardline messaging.

In response to a question from a Jewish community member about the status of the Trump administration’s proposed peace plan, Ben-Gvir made his stance unequivocal.

“I hope that Prime Minister Netanyahu will take the path of Trump’s plan,” Ben-Gvir said. “It’s correct, it’s real, it’s moral, and it’s the solution.”

INN reported that he expressed strong support for voluntary emigration policies as part of the long-term solution for Gaza, saying: “I recognize the Prime Minister’s openness regarding the idea of voluntary emigration. I do everything I can for it to happen — not tomorrow, but yesterday.”

Ben-Gvir framed the Trump plan not merely as a geopolitical blueprint but as a moral imperative — one that centers Jewish security and self-determination in a volatile Middle East.

Ben-Gvir’s trip to the United States, which has included visits to Mar-a-Lago, police precincts, Jewish organizations, and synagogues, has drawn criticism from progressive Jewish groups, civil rights advocates, and anti-Zionist organizations. Some have decried his meetings with senior Republicans and public defense of hardline policies, including the bombing of Hamas food storage sites.

Still, as Israel National News has reported consistently, Ben-Gvir remains undeterred, using his American tour to rally Diaspora support, particularly from Orthodox and Zionist communities who view his positions as uncompromising but necessary.

Ben-Gvir’s Brooklyn address — delivered under the spiritual banner of Chabad and amid vocal public backlash — encapsulated the deepening divides both within the American Jewish community and in broader U.S.-Israel discourse.

For his supporters, the Minister’s visit was an act of Jewish pride and solidarity in the face of rising antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment. For his critics, it was a flashpoint for renewed protest against Israel’s right-wing leadership.

Regardless of where one stands, as the Israel National News report noted, Ben-Gvir’s presence on American soil continues to make headlines — and stir hearts. His message: Israel’s fight is existential, and it will not pause for politeness.