Shaul Magid

Meir David HaKohen Kahane, born Martin David Kahane in 1932, was an Orthodox rabbi and an influential Israeli ultra-nationalist politician. He founded the Israeli political party Kach, whose ideology continues to impact far-right groups in Israel. Kahane was convicted of various acts of terrorism in both the United States and Israel. He established the Jewish Defense League (JDL) in New York City in 1968, stating its purpose was to combat antisemitism. Later, he moved to Israel, became a citizen, and initiated protests advocating for the expulsion of Palestinian citizens and those in occupied territories. His political career saw his Kach party gain a seat in the Knesset in 1984, though he was later barred from running for office. Kahane was assassinated in 1990 while giving a speech in Brooklyn.

Kahane's ideology, termed Kahanism, advocated for enforcing Jewish law as state law in Israel and proposed laws emphasizing Judaism in public schools, restricting relations between Jews and non-Jews, and segregating neighborhoods. He also supported the annexation of occupied territories and proposed that non-Jews in Israel either become slaves or face deportation. He was known for the slogan "For Every Jew a .22" and advocated for restricting Israel's democracy to its Jewish citizens. His background included rabbinical studies and degrees in political science and international relations.

Born Martin David Kahane in Brooklyn, New York, to an Orthodox Jewish family, Meir Kahane received a strong Jewish education alongside secular studies. He was ordained as a rabbi by the Mir Yeshiva in Brooklyn. His academic pursuits included a B.A. in political science from Brooklyn College, an LL.B. from New York Law School, and an M.A. in International Relations from New York University. Kahane came from a prominent rabbinic family, with his father serving as a rabbi and author, and his grandfather being a leading rabbinic scholar. As a youth, he was involved in Revisionist Zionism and protested against British restrictions on Jewish emigration to Palestine. He also engaged in activities that led to his arrest, such as protesting against British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin.

In 1968, Kahane established the Jewish Defense League (JDL) in New York City, with the stated goal of protecting Jewish people from antisemitism. He promoted the idea of Jewish self-defense, famously advocating "every Jew a .22." The JDL's stated purpose was to oppose antisemitism without regard to race, creed, or color. Kahane also formed an alliance with a Black rights group in 1971, which he described as a significant moment in Black-Jewish relations. However, the JDL and Kahane himself were involved in activities that led to convictions for domestic terrorism, including an attack on the Soviet United Nations mission and conspiracies involving a Soviet diplomat and the Iraqi embassy.

After moving to Israel in 1971 and becoming a citizen, Kahane founded the political party Kach. He frequently organized protests calling for the expulsion of Palestinian citizens and those in the Israeli-occupied territories, resulting in numerous arrests. Although Kach initially failed to win Knesset seats, it secured one seat in the 1984 elections, with Kahane himself serving. He was later disqualified from running in the 1988 elections. Kahane's ideology, Kahanism, sought to implement Jewish law as the state law of Israel. He proposed legislation aimed at increasing the emphasis on Judaism in public schools, forbidding interfaith relationships, separating Jewish and Arab neighborhoods, and ending inter-student cultural meetings. He also expressed extreme views, suggesting non-Jews in Israel should either be enslaved or deported, and supported the annexation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Meir Kahane continued to promote his ideology, Kahanism, throughout his life. While serving in the Knesset, he introduced numerous unsuccessful legislative proposals. In 1990, he was assassinated in Brooklyn, New York, while delivering a speech urging American Jews to immigrate to Israel. The assassination was carried out by El Sayyid Nosair, an Egyptian-American national. Kahane was buried in West Jerusalem. His legacy includes the continued influence of his militant and far-right political ideology on various groups active in Israel today.