Inside the grim symbolism behind Ben-Gvir’s birthday cake
Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, marked his 50th birthday with a celebration that has drawn sharp criticism at home and abroad — not for its scale, but for its symbolism.
Images and video circulating online showed a multi-tiered cake topped with a golden noose and the phrase, “Sometimes dreams come true.”
For supporters, the imagery reflected a long-standing political goal. For critics, it underscored what they see as a troubling shift towards extremism within Israeli politics.
The noose is not an incidental design choice. It has become a central emblem of Ben-Gvir’s far-right Otzma Yehudit party, which has campaigned for the introduction of the death penalty specifically for those convicted of Palestinian terrorism.
In recent months, the symbol has appeared on pins worn by politicians and supporters during parliamentary debates, signalling alignment with the policy.
That legislative push culminated earlier this year when Israel’s Knesset approved a measure making death by hanging a default sentence for certain terrorism-related offences. The move marked a significant departure from longstanding legal norms: Israel effectively abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1954 and has not carried out executions since 1962.
Human rights groups and several Western governments have criticised the law as discriminatory, warning that it would disproportionately affect Palestinians, particularly those in the occupied West Bank. A joint statement by foreign ministers from several countries cautioned that the legislation risks undermining democratic principles.
Against that backdrop, the birthday cake’s message has been widely interpreted as a celebration of political success. The phrase “Sometimes dreams come true” was seen by critics as a direct reference to the passage of the law — a goal Ben-Gvir has championed for years.
Further controversy stemmed from the presence of senior officials at the event, including political allies and police figures. Opponents argue that their attendance blurred the line between state institutions and partisan ideology, reinforcing concerns about the growing influence of hardline politics within the government.
Ben-Gvir’s supporters, however, frame the policy as a necessary deterrent against terrorism, reflecting public demand for tougher security measures.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
