A radical rabbi who founded a militant Jewish organization to protect Jews from anti-Semitism, known for his controversial and violent methods.
Meir Kahane is best known for his radical views on Jewish nationalism and his role in founding the Israeli political party Kach, as well as the Jewish Defense League (JDL) in the United States. As an ordained Orthodox rabbi, writer, and politician, Kahane's life work was marked by controversy, conviction, and passionate advocacy for the Jewish people.
Meir David HaKohen Kahane was born Martin David Kahane on August 1, 1932, to a family of Orthodox Jews in Brooklyn, New York. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Mir Yeshiva in Brooklyn and later studied at the New York University School of Law.
In 1968, Kahane co-founded the JDL, an organization dedicated to combating antisemitism and promoting Jewish self-defense. The JDL's militant tactics and Kahane's fiery rhetoric often landed him in hot water with law enforcement and the broader Jewish community.
In 1971, Kahane co-founded the Kach party in Israel, which advocated for the annexation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as the restriction of Israeli democracy to Jewish citizens. In 1984, Kahane became a member of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, when Kach gained its only seat in parliamentary elections.
Kahane's political career was marked by several convictions, including a suspended sentence for conspiracy to manufacture explosives in the United States and a suspended sentence and probation for plotting to blow up the Libyan embassy in Brussels. He was also boycotted by his peers in the Knesset and largely ignored by the Israeli media.
Kahane was a strong advocate for Jewish self-defense and believed in the importance of a strong, unified Jewish people. He popularized the slogans "Never Again" and "For Every Jew a .22," which reflected his views on Jewish empowerment and defense. Kahane's philosophy was shaped by his experiences as a rabbi, his concern for the safety of Jews worldwide, and his advocacy for a more assertive Jewish identity.
Meir Kahane's legacy is complex and multifaceted. While some view him as a champion of Jewish rights and self-defense, others see him as a radical and divisive figure. Regardless, Kahane's influence on Israeli politics and Jewish identity cannot be overstated. His life work continues to inspire both admiration and criticism, ensuring his place as one of the most controversial figures in modern Jewish history.
