The spelling of the name "Meir Kahane" is relatively straightforward when using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first name "Meir" is spelled /meɪr/, with a long "a" sound and an "r" sound at the end. The last name "Kahane" is spelled /kəˈhɑːnɪ/, with a stress on the second syllable and a soft "h" sound before the "n". Meir Kahane was an American-Israeli rabbi and political figure, known for his far-right ideologies and controversial views on Arab-Israeli relations.
Meir Kahane was an American-Israeli Orthodox rabbi, politician, and activist. Born on August 1, 1932, in New York City, Kahane is best known for his radical and controversial ideology, particularly his advocacy for Jewish nationalism and the establishment of a Jewish state in Israel where non-Jews would have limited rights, if any.
Kahane was the founder and leader of the Jewish Defense League (JDL), a militant Jewish organization formed in 1968. The JDL aimed to combat what Kahane perceived as growing anti-Semitism and to protect Jewish interests, often through forceful means. However, the group's tactics frequently ignited violence, leading to its classification as a terrorist organization.
Kahane's political pursuits led him to serve in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, from 1984 to 1988, as part of the far-right Kach party that he founded. His political agenda centered on radical proposals to expel Palestinians from Israel, asserting that coexistence was untenable. His ideas were widely criticized both domestically and internationally, and Kach was eventually banned from participating in Israeli elections due to incitement and racism.
Meir Kahane's views and actions continue to be highly controversial, with some regarding him as a prophetic advocate for Jewish rights and national survival, while others view him as a dangerous extremist. Kahane was assassinated in 1990 in New York City, cutting short his tumultuous career but leaving a lasting impact on the discourse surrounding Jewish identity, Israel-Palestine relations, and the limits of free speech.
The word "Meir Kahane" is not derived from any particular etymology. It is a combination of a first name, "Meir", and a last name, "Kahane", which is a Jewish surname. Meir Kahane was an American-Israeli rabbi, writer, and political figure who founded the Jewish Defense League (JDL) in the United States and later became the leader of the right-wing Israeli political party, Kach.