Israeli Official Incitement: April 2023
Israeli Official Incitement: April 2023
I. Against the Palestinian People
Itamar Ben Gvir, Minister of National Security, Member of Knesset and Chairman of the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party (Twitter, 5 April 2023)[1]
“It is a shame that this man[2] is a member of the Knesset. Great job of the Israeli police officers for their brave and dedicated work.”[3]
Itamar Ben Gvir (Twitter, 1 April 2023)
“I support the Israeli police officers who acted in the Temple Mount[4] and prevented a big disaster[5]. The people of Israel are blessed with brave police officers who know when to engage and execute quick action to thwart terrorists[6]. Great work from the police!”
Tzvi Yedidia Sukkot, Member of Knesset for the Religious Zionism party (Twitter, 3 April 2023) [7]
“A village of terrorism.[8]”
Hanoch Dov Milwidsky, Member of Knesset for the Likud party (Twitter, 7 April 2023)
“Arab terrorism[9] was always characterized by vileness, cruelty, and cowardness.
Damn bastards, we will reach them all.”
Itamar Ben Gvir (Twitter, 9 April 2023)
“The district court in Jerusalem extended the arrest of Mohammad Basili, the Hamas supporter, who published 7 inciting posts on social media networks. A significant part of the war against terrorism happens on the networks. Social networks are central generators of terrorism and incitement. That is why I directed the police to monitor and stop as many inciters as possible online.”
Limor Sonn Har Melech, Member of Knesset for the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party (Twitter, 9 April 2023)
“I call upon the security system and the prime minister to launch a military operation tonight to clean Judea and Samaria[10] from weapons and terrorism because the responsibility is solely ours. Only a strong and painful iron hand against the enemy! (…)”
Boaz Bismuth, Member of Knesset for the Likud party (Twitter, 10 April 2023)
“At these moments, I am marching on the trails of Samaria to strengthen the settlers of the mountain, including the pioneers of Evyatar[11].
Our Zionist response to terrorism: strengthening the hold on the homeland. I follow the first Hebrew command of the founder of our nation: “Go, go… To the land that I will show you (…)”
Zeev Elkin, Member of Knesset for the National Unity party (Twitter, 23 April 2023)
“What a lame excuse for another delay in the never-ending saga. In 2018, Netanyahu already used the excuse of consensual eviction when he asked to delay it and promised it will happen within a few weeks. It’s been almost 5 years.
Khan al-Ahmar[12] must be evacuated! I said it during Netanyahu’s governments and the government of Bennet and Lapid.Itamar, Bezalel, are you awake?”
Itamar Ben Gvir (Twitter, 11 April 2023)[13]
“The war against terrorism starts at its roots. From social media networks and the instigators who are inciting on these networks. The networks are a flea’s nest of incitement and fake news against Israel. They are used by terrorist organizations to incite and brainwash people. And like we, unfortunately, learned, the line between incitement and statements against Israel and active terrorism acts is very thin.”
Ad Kan[14] (Twitter, 2 April 2023)
“The investigation of Ad Kan, on channel 14 tonight, exposes the whole truth about (Hamoked for the Defense of the Individual[15]), a radical anti-Israeli organization (disguised as an Israeli organization), which protects terrorists and gives them and their families free legal counsel. In light of the shocking revelation, we call for the “HaMoked” to be closed.”
Ariel Kallner, Member of Knesset for the Likud party (Facebook, 23 April 2023)[16]
“The crazy reality where an Israeli organization[17] assists vile terrorists and their families[18], its leaders show understanding to the murder of Jewish citizens, and all the funding of foreign states cannot continue.
Following a report by Ad Kan on channel 14, I will assemble the Lobby for the fight against de-legitimization, headed by me, immediately after the break next week, to deal with the phenomenon (…).”
Oded Forer, Member of Knesset for the Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home) party (Twitter, 3 April 2023)
“Netanyahu and Ben Gvir are running away from terrorism, and it’s chasing them.
When you ignore shooting from the Strip[19], when you accept an attack from Lebanon[20], when you are afraid to evacuate illegal Palestinian outposts[21] and pay protection[22] to Abu Mazen, then UAVs[23] and terrorism attacks are invited. It is time that Netanyahu and Ben Gvir stop fighting the protesters[24] and start fighting terrorism.”
Danny Danon, Member of Knesset for the Likud party (Twitter, 6 April 2023)
“Rockets in the Galilee while we celebrate the holiday[25] of freedom. With all due respect to the desire to compromise and the sensitivity during this time, the state of Israel must respond immediately with force and in a disproportionate manner.”
Nissim Vaturi, Member of Knesset for the Likud party (Twitter, 6 April 2023)
“Respond with force, collect a heavy price from the terrorists and their masters. Let every villain know that their blood is on their hands.[26]”
Avi Dichter, Member of Knesset for the Likud party (Facebook, 16 April 2023)
“Seeing and not believing! PLO flags[27] at the heart of the protest in Tel Aviv yesterday, along with burning IDF recruitment letters, while in the background are signs “Occupation ِEquals Terrorism.” All this is two days before The Holocaust Memorial Day and a week before the Memorial Day for those who fell in combat. Not seeing the response of the left-wing party leaders. Does that mean you live in peace with this?I am ashamed of you!”
Itamar Ben Gvir (Twitter, 19 April 2023)
“Of course, in my personal opinion, terrorists[28] should not see the light of day, but if they are already getting out, it must happen quietly, without a celebratory parade. [29]”
II. Against President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Leadership
Orit Malka Strock, Minister of National Missions, Member of Knesset for the Religious Zionism Party (Facebook, 7 April 2023)
It is our watch!
“A wave of terrorism in the north, south, Judea and Samaria, Jerusalem, and Little Israel[30], is happening now on our watch. We are the ones in charge of responses, and more importantly: prevention and premeditated thwarting (…) The PA[31] was established, and immediately after its establishment, it passed the law for terrorists’ salaries[32] and established an education system which is an incitement system. Even today, after Operation Defensive Shield[33], which corrected some of Oslo’s damage, the entire horrible security reality in Judea and Samaria, and Israel in general, is the result of that miserable decision (...) This is our watch, and we must return the checkpoints to Judea and Samaria. Return the IDF to more effective action against terrorism cells, and not selectively. To take punitive and deterring steps against terrorists, those who send them and fund them. To create an operative plan to control this chaos, which until now we’ve “only” experienced its signs, but without a doubt, it is due to majorly blow up in our faces. And also strengthen the settlement in the areas that they are trying to remove us from. (…)”
Itamar Ben Gvir (Twitter, 7 April 2023)
“Hi Mr. Gantz[34], on the one hand, you now can also welcome the terrorist Abu Mazen in your home. On the other hand, to give him half a billion as a reward for the salaries of terrorists and to open security checkpoints as a reward for terrorism – you cannot do anymore. During your watch, terrorism increased by hundreds of percent (…)”
Itamar Ben Gvir (Facebook, 7 April 2023)
“(…) My positions have not changed. My steadfast perception is that deterrence will not be achieved by compromising. Terrorism does not know the phrase “restraint is strength,” and our way to create an unfavorable equation for our enemies is only by an unproportioned response to any attack against us. This is also how large parts of the public voted for and expects the government to act by (…) sometimes, our short-term memory makes us forget what the previous government did in response to attacks. The former Minister of Security Gantz, who during his time terrorism increased by hundreds of percentages to a level we have not had in years, welcomed the terrorist Abu Mazen in his house, gave half a billion to the Palestinian Authority[35] – which hands out scholarships to terrorists’ families, and removing crucial security checkpoints in Judea and Samaria. (…)”
So, what did we do in the government? The answer: a lot. With all the criticism, we did a lot in the past three months. We got a budget of 9 billion Shekels for the Ministry of National Security and its bodies, we passed a government decision to establish the National Guard[36]. We launched a sovereignty and law enforcement campaign in East Jerusalem and demolished dozens of illegal houses there. We passed weapon law[37] in the Knesset, which will allow us to fight crime in the Arab sector[38], we started putting an end to terrorists’ celebrations in prison by shutting down bakeries[39] and stopping the never-ending showers. We passed in a preliminary vote on the bill for the death penalty for terrorists[40], we did a total reform in the firearm unit and released the withheld12,000 weapons to citizens[41], and we passed the law to revoke citizenship and exile terrorists[42]. We passed the Protection[43] law in a preliminary vote, we canceled the Disengagement law in Judea and Samaria[44], and we formalized nine towns [45](…)”
Tzvi Yedidia Sukkot, Member of Knesset for the Religious Zionism party (Facebook, 8 April 2023)
“(…) It doesn’t matter how many attacks they did, how many salaries Abu Mazen pays terrorists, and how many squares are named after killers, the moment he is an honorary guest in the house of the Israeli minister of Defense, and his commanders regularly meet with IDF seniors, we cannot undermine his legitimacy to the world. (…) This is all we are trying, must, and need to change! starting with steps that will maintain security, like checkpoints and large operations against terrorist cells, a harsh response to rocket fire, steps that will make it clear that the state of Israel is going in the opposite direction from a Palestinian state, with steps that will demolish the legitimacy of the PA as long as it encourages and funds terrorists and fights Israel, and mainly in the thought pattern in the Security system (…) Cancelling the Disengagement law, boycotting Abu Mazen in the current government, confiscating funds by Minister of Finance Smotrich[46], and many more steps towards the change in policy that is beginning. We are determined to succeed.”
[1] This is a response to a post by MK Ofer Cassif criticizing Israeli attacks against Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound and the Palestinian Muslim worshippers.
[2] Referring to Ofer Cassif of the Hadash-Ta'al party, which represents Palestinian citizens of Israel in the Knesset.
[3] See footnote 1
[4] In reference to the Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound
[5] Referring to the murder of a 26-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel, Mohammad Khaled al-Oasibi, from the Bedouin village of Hura in Al-Naqab on 1 April. After he intervened to help a Palestinian woman being assaulted by the occupation forces, Al-Osaibi was shot to death near the Chain gate leading to Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound.
[6] In reference to the Palestinian people
[7] An affirmation of a claim by Israeli journalist Hallel Bitton Rosen that Palestinians fired on Israeli occupation forces near Huwara town in Nablus governorate.
[8] Referring to Huwara, a Palestinian town located in the Nablus Governorate. On 26 February, Israeli settlers conducted a pogrom in Huwara town, burning cars and houses.
[9] In reference to the Palestinians
[10] In reference to the Occupied West Bank of the State of Palestine
[11] On 3 May 2021, settlers established “Evyatar” colonial installation (outpost) on Jabal Sabih in Nablus governorate. Following an agreement with the Israeli government, the settlers left, but did not demolish the structures.
[12] Khan Al-Ahmar, a Palestinian Bedouin village in Jerusalem governorate, which is at imminent risk of forcible transfer.
[13] A recent article on the Israeli news website Ynet accused Palestinian woman Raeda Joulani from Jerusalem (49 years old) of 'supporting terrorism' on social media networks.
[14] An Israeli right-wing settlers’ organization
[15] Hamoked is an Israeli human rights organization that provides free legal counsel to Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory: https://hamoked.org/ Ad Kan published an investigation accusing Hamoked of receiving foreign funds and providing free legal counsel to Palestinians.
[16] Responding to an article regarding Ad Kan’s report on Hamoked.
[17] Referring to Hamoked
[18] In reference to the Palestinians
[19] The Gaza Strip
[20] Regarding an incident on 13 March during which a Lebanese man allegedly planted a bomb at Megiddo junction. He was later captured and killed.
[21] In reference to the Palestinian Bedouin community of Khan Al-Ahmar that is at imminent risk of forcible transfer.
[22] In reference to the tax revenues that Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinian National Authority
[23] Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (drone)
[24] Regarding the Israeli protesters against the proposed judicial reforms
[25] The Pesach (Passover) holiday.
[26] According to an Israeli report by Times of Israel, on 6 April: 34 rockets were fired from southern Lebanon towards Israel.
[27] In reference to the flag of Palestine
[28] In reference to Palestinian prisoners
[29] The post is in response to an article on Channel 7’s website regarding the release of Palestinian prisoner Osama Manasra from Bani Naim village east of Hebron
[30] Means when declared its independence in1948
[31] The Palestinian National Authority (PNA)
[32] In reference to the monthly social allowances paid by the PNA to Palestinian prisoners, martyrs, and their families
[33] Operation Defensive was a 2002 Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank, carried out amidst the Second Intifada.
[34] MK Benjamin Gantz, head of the National Unity party and Israel’s former Minister of “Defense”
[35] According to Israeli reports, Israel offered to transfer 500 million Shekels to the Palestinian National Authority in August 2022. See Times of Israel.
[36] The Israeli Cabinet approved the establishment of a National Guard force – a demand by Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, and head of the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party. Its purpose is to enable the use of excessive violence against the Palestinian citizens of Israel – According to xxxx: “The National Guard will deal with national emergency situations such as the disturbances that occurred during Operation Guardians of the Walls,” referring to the protests of Palestinian citizens of Israel against the Israeli attacks on the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory: the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in May 2021.
[37]A law giving police officers the right to search for illegal weapons without a warrant. It will serve as another tool for oppressing the Palestinian citizens of Israel.
[38] In reference to the Palestinian citizens of Israel.
[39] Regarding the bread bakeries, Palestinian prisoners operated in two Israeli prisons.
[40] On 26 February, a bill proposal was approved by Israel's ministerial committee on legislation, which would grant permission to carry out the death penalty against Palestinians accused of committing "terror acts." Subsequently, on 1 March, the bill passed a preliminary hearing in the Knesset.
[41] In reference to the new policy regarding weapon licenses in Israel, which has made obtaining weapons very easy.
[42] On 15 February, the Israeli Knesset passed a law to withdraw residency or citizenship from Palestinians who are accused of "terrorism" and receive financial assistance from the Palestinian National Authority. The law also permits the deportation of their families. Check Ha’aretz article.
[43] In reference to a method of extortion used by criminals against businesses – the bill proposed intend to increase the sentence on these kinds of charges.
[44] In reference to the evacuation of Israel’s illegal colonial settlements in the West Bank – the law was canceled on 23 March, which now allows for the re-establishment of the illegal settlements that were evacuated as part of the disengagement plan from the Gaza Strip in 2005.
[45] In reference to the government’s recognition of 9 illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.
[46] In reference to Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, head of the Religious Zionism party.