On Thursday, the office of the so-called Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, denied what was published in the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz this morning, that it sought the help of extremist Bentzi Gopstein, head of the far-right "Lahava" organization, in his ministerial duties.

Ben Gvir's office accused Haaretz, a Hebrew newspaper known for its leftist stances, of working to distort his image.

Officials in Ben Gvir's office said: "They want him to be a friend of Yasser Arafat."

Ben Gvir's office indicated that there is a strong and old relationship and an important friendship between Ben Gvir and Gopstein, but he does not interfere in his government duties.