Why Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Visit to Georgia Matters

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir arrived in Georgia on August 24 for an official visit — the first by a senior Israeli official since Hamas’ October 7 terror attack and the outbreak of war.

At first glance, the visit looks like a routine diplomatic exchange. Ben-Gvir met Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, along with Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili and Interior Minister Geka Geladze. The Georgian Interior Ministry highlighted “close and effective cooperation” between the two countries’ law enforcement agencies and stressed the importance of exchanging best practices.

But the timing and the personalities involved reveal much more.

Ben-Gvir’s Message in Tbilisi

During the meetings, Ben-Gvir declared that “Israel is defeating Iran and Hezbollah, and is also fighting Hamas in Gaza. Humanity must not allow Hamas to remain in Gaza – it must be destroyed.”

He reportedly presented photographs of humanitarian aid trucks in Gaza being hijacked, underscoring his view that Hamas propaganda exaggerates the humanitarian crisis. He also called on Georgia’s leadership to join international appeals for the release of Israeli hostages.

These remarks show that Ben-Gvir used his Tbilisi platform not only to reaffirm bilateral cooperation, but also to amplify Israel’s war messaging at a time when debates over Gaza dominate global politics.

Georgia’s Balancing Act

For Georgia, the visit is equally symbolic. Prime Minister Kobakhidze stressed the importance of strengthening ties with Israel, pointing to historic connections with Georgia’s Jewish community and the growing numbers of Israeli tourists visiting the country. He even expressed interest in paying an official visit to Israel.

But this warm reception contrasts sharply with Kobakhidze’s recent outreach to Iran. In May, he attended the funeral of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, where he was photographed alongside Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. More recently, he returned to Tehran for the inauguration of Raisi’s successor, Masoud Pezeshkian.

For an Israeli minister to be welcomed in Tbilisi so soon after Georgia’s top leadership stood beside Hamas figures in Iran highlights Georgia’s delicate balancing act between East and West — and between Tehran and Jerusalem.

Why It Matters

Ben-Gvir’s visit may not produce major policy breakthroughs, but it is strategically significant.

The optics of the visit matter as much as the substance. In hosting Ben-Gvir, Georgia demonstrates that despite its controversial moves toward Iran, it cannot afford to alienate Israel — or by extension, Israel’s Western allies.

The challenge for Tbilisi will be to sustain this balancing act without losing credibility on either side. For Israel, the challenge will be to decide how far it can trust a government that openly courts Tehran while hosting Israeli officials.