Controversial Israeli Rabbi Avraham Zarbiv to Light Torch at Independence Day Amid Human Rights Condemnation

Avraham Zarbiv, an Israeli rabbi known for his role in demolishing Palestinian homes, has been selected to light a torch at Israel's Independence Day celebration on April 21, 2026.

Zarbiv is one of 14 individuals chosen for their "extraordinary contribution to society and the state," alongside professionals from various fields including science, medicine, and security.

He is a reservist who operates an armoured bulldozer and has gained notoriety through videos showing his personal campaign of destruction in Gaza, often accompanied by inflammatory rhetoric.

Human rights groups have condemned his selection, describing it as an official endorsement of ethnic cleansing and war crimes.

The rights organisation B'tselem stated that this choice sends a message that genocide and ethnic cleansing are considered the "spirit of the nation." The Israeli military publicly distanced itself from Zarbiv, clarifying that he was not selected in coordination with them and does not represent the military at the ceremony, despite his reservist status.

Zarbiv first gained national attention in early 2024 when he was filmed throwing grenades at Palestinians during a firefight in Khan Younis.

Since then, he has recorded himself demolishing Palestinian homes in Gaza and southern Lebanon, often reciting religious verses and prayers.

His name has entered Hebrew slang as a verb meaning "to destroy," a term he has embraced, even titling a lecture after it earlier this year.

Cabinet minister Miriam Regev defended the choice, citing Zarbiv's dual leadership as a rabbi and soldier, describing it as "inspirational" and symbolic of "between the book and the sword." Critics argue that this official endorsement undermines Israel's defence against charges of genocide and incitement to genocide in international courts.

A leading Israeli newspaper editorialised that honouring Zarbiv signals a loss of moral compass and conscience for the state.

The torch lighting ceremony takes place over the resting place of Theodor Herzl, a key figure in modern Zionism, adding symbolic weight to the controversy.

What remains unclear is how this selection will affect Israel's international standing and internal discourse amid ongoing conflict and human rights concerns.

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