Meir Kahane

Meir Kahane (1932-1990) was an American-born Israeli rabbi, political activist, and author who founded the Jewish Defense League (JDL) in 1968 as a response to rising antisemitism and perceived threats to Jewish communities. Kahane's ideology combined Jewish nationalism with uncompromising positions on security and settlements, advocating for aggressive confrontation against those he viewed as enemies of the Jewish people. He eventually moved to Israel in 1971 and successfully ran for the Knesset in 1984, becoming the first member of his Kach party to serve in the Israeli parliament. His political platform included controversial positions regarding Palestinian rights and territorial expansion. Kahane's legacy remains deeply contested—supporters view him as a defender of Jewish interests and security, while critics condemn his extremist rhetoric and methods. His assassination in New York in 1990 by an Islamic militant was seen by his followers as martyrdom. His influence persists in Israeli right-wing politics, though his parties were eventually banned from electoral participation due to their racist doctrine. Kahane represents a polarizing chapter in modern Jewish and Israeli political history.