Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir Visits Georgia, Meets Georgian Dream Officials
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is on an official visit to Georgia, where he has met with several senior members of the ruling Georgian Dream government.
According to a press release from Georgia's Interior Ministry, Ben-Gvir met Georgian Dream Interior Minister Gela (Geka) Geladze on August 25 to discuss "the existing close and effective cooperation" between the two countries, as well as "the importance of sharing experience and best practices." The ministry said Ben-Gvir thanked his hosts "for the hospitality" and expressed readiness to "deepen cooperation in priority areas." Deputy interior ministers, Georgian officials, and Israeli Ambassador to Georgia Walid Abu-Haya were also present.
The following day, Ben-Gvir met Justice Minister Paata Salia. A Justice Ministry statement said the talks focused on "Georgia-Israeli friendly relations and prospects for deepening cooperation in the field of justice." Salia briefed the Israeli minister on reforms in the penitentiary system and programs supporting the resocialization of convicts. Ben-Gvir also toured the Gldani No. 8 prison facility to view infrastructure and management standards.
Israeli media reported that Ben-Gvir also held talks with Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, citing Israel's Ministry of National Security as the source and publishing a photograph of the meeting. According to Israel National News, the Georgian Prime Minister said, "We want to strengthen the bond between our countries and peoples. We maintain excellent relations with the Jewish community in Georgia and with the many Israeli tourists here, and we would be happy to visit Israel."
The outlet reported that Ben-Gvir told Georgian officials, "The State of Israel is defeating Iran and Hezbollah, and is also fighting Hamas in Gaza. Humanity cannot allow Hamas to remain in Gaza, and it must be destroyed." He also presented photos that he claimed showed Hamas gunmen seizing humanitarian aid trucks in Gaza, arguing that, contrary to Hamas's claims, there is no famine in the territory. He called on Georgia to join the demand for the release of hostages held in Gaza.
The visit comes as Georgia's ties with Iran remain under scrutiny. Prime Minister Kobakhidze traveled twice to Tehran earlier this year, attending the funeral of late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and later the inauguration of his successor, Masoud Pezeshkian. His appearance near Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at the inauguration sparked criticism. Georgian Dream officials also drew controversy in July when a deputy foreign minister attended an event at Iran's embassy in Tbilisi honoring those killed in an Israeli strike, a move Israel's embassy described as "shocking."
Georgia has historically supported a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and recognized Palestinian statehood in 1992. While Tbilisi condemned Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, the government has largely avoided commenting on developments in Gaza since then.
Ben-Gvir's presence in Tbilisi has not gone unnoticed. Local outlet Mautskebeli reported that a group of activists displayed a Palestinian flag from Tbilisi's Bridge of Peace.
Ben-Gvir, a controversial figure in Israeli politics, has faced sanctions from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway over what those governments described as incitement against Palestinian communities. His trip to Georgia, according to Israeli media, is expected to include discussions on internal security, counterterrorism, and organized crime, as well as visits to Georgian police and prison facilities.
