Far-right minister Ben-Gvir spotted dancing to Arabic ululations and Middle Eastern rhythms
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A viral video of 'Israel’s' far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, dancing at a local wedding has ignited intense online debate, not for the politics, but for the striking cultural soundtrack of the celebration.
In a bizarre twist for a politician notorious for his anti-Arab rhetoric and Jewish supremacist ideology, the wedding featured heavy influences of Arab and Middle Eastern culture.
The footage captures a lively atmosphere where guests and performers can be heard using traditional Arabic-style ululations (Zaghrouta), a celebratory vocal expression deeply rooted in Palestinian and wider Arab heritage.
The music performed belongs to the Mizrahi genre, which is directly rooted in Arabic musical traditions brought by Eastern Jews from Arab countries, utilizing the same Middle Eastern scales (Maqamat) and rhythms.
Right in front of the clapping minister, a live violinist performs a melody heavily utilizing Middle Eastern musical scales (Maqamat). While the style is often associated with Mizrahi (Eastern Jewish) traditions, the sonic landscape of the party remains undeniably Middle Eastern—creating a profound cultural paradox as Ben-Gvir joyfully dances to the rhythms of the very culture he frequently opposes politically.
While the cultural crossover took center stage in the video, the background of the celebration highlights a secondary angle: Ben-Gvir’s complete indifference to his mounting political crises and international isolation.
The minister is currently facing significant diplomatic pushback, most notably from the United States, which has historically denied him entry visas due to his past conviction in 'Israel' for supporting a terrorist organization (the banned Kach movement).
Despite being treated as a diplomatic pariah by Western allies and facing an implicit travel ban, the video signals a calculated message to his domestic base: Ben-Gvir remains entirely unbothered by Washington’s sanctions, preferring to soak in the applause of his 'Israeli' supporters to a local, Middle Eastern beat.
