Israeli Official Incitement: December 2022
Israeli Official Incitement: December 2022
I. Against the Palestinian People
Orit Malka Strock, Minister of National Missions, MK for the Religious Zionism party, (Twitter, 21 December 2022)
“When it is deserving – it is deserving: I congratulate the Minister of Defense, Gantz[1], on his decision not to return the body of terrorist Abu Hamid[2] to his family. Israel will not turn the other cheek to terrorism!”
Almog Cohen, MK for the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party (Facebook, 3 December 2022)
“(…) let every terrorist know that from today, whoever raises his hand against a police officer is destined to die.” [3]
Danny Danon, MK for the Likud Party, former Israeli Ambassador to the UN (Facebook, 3 December 2022)[4]
“It seems that Knesset Member Aida Touma Sliman[5] and the UN envoy for the Middle East, Tor Wennesland[6], would probably prefer to see our border policeman stabbed to death - the main thing is that the terrorist stays alive. Those who attack our dear soldiers should expect a strong and stern response.”
Avi Dichter, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, MK for the Likud party, (Facebook, 6 December 2022)
“Hamas published its latest logo on the 35th anniversary of its establishment (14 December). The logo illustrates how they see the future of the State of Israel. What can be done? We Israelis have other plans... First, we have been here long before them, thousands of years before them (…) The time has come for Hamas (and its supporters and what its logo symbolizes) to understand that Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people, as enshrined in the Basic Law[7] that I initiated. We have been here forever! (…)”
Miri Miriam Regev, Minister of Transportation and Road Safety, MK for the Likud party (Twitter, 6 December 2022)
“A disgrace. It pays to be a security prisoner[8] in Israel. 569[9] new TVs were bought for the World Cup. That’s how they ‘buy silence.’”
Gilad Erdan, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, in an interview with Israeli Channel 14 (Twitter, 13 December 2022)
“The death of the girl in Jenin[10] – and the Palestinian attempt to blacklist Israel. Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, responds: ‘I was on tour with a delegation of ambassadors; we told them how Hamas and the Jihad use children as human shields. No matter what they say in the UN – our commitment is first and foremost to fight terrorists.’”
Im Tirtzu Movement[11] (Twitter, 24 December 2022)
“They claim to revere this place, yet they use it as a soccer field.”[12]
Almog Cohen, MK for the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party (Facebook, 27 December 2022)
“(…) The Otzma Yehudit Party, led by MK Ben Gvir, insisted on introducing the death penalty law for terrorists[13] in the coalition agreements. We will act with all our might to implement this policy and will reach every vile terrorist, even in his bed.”
II. Against President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Leadership
Danny Danon, MK for the Likud Party, former Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations (Twitter, 31 December 2022)
“Abu Mazen[14] continues his diplomatic terror against IDF soldiers at the United Nations[15]. Israel must collect a heavy and painful price from the Palestinian Authority immediately. As a first step, Israel should impose significant economic sanctions, and revoke all travel permits of the Palestinian Authority’s senior officials. Israel must make it clear that anyone who tries to harm our soldiers at court in the Hague will pay a heavy price.”
Bezalel Smotrich, Minister of Finance, MK and Chairman of the Religious Zionism party (Twitter, 19 December 2022)
“With God’s help, we will lead in the government that will be established, a combined effort – diplomatic, economic, enforcement and settlement – against the hostile activity of the Palestinian Authority and international actors, and we will stop it with determination.”
III. Against the Palestinian Citizens of Israel
Itamar Ben Gvir, Minister of National Security, MK and Chairman of the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party (Facebook, 4 December 2022)
“This is Knesset Member Iman Khatib[16], posing with a Palestinian scarf during an event by the inciting Sheikh and supporter of terrorism, Raed Salah[17]. She is the one you fund monthly. She and her friends [18] are supporters of terrorism. They should serve in the Syrian Parliament, not here.”
Avi Dichter, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, MK for the Likud party (Facebook, 11 December 2022)
“The Knesset member[19] who voted against the Abraham Accords[20] has no qualms about waving Morocco’s flag after their victory last night in the World Cup. The hypocrisy reduced him to 4 seats. A disgrace!”
Almog Cohen, MK for the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party (Facebook, 12 December 2022)
“I want to thank the Knesset officer for his decision to remove the supporter of terrorism, Raja Zaatreh[21], from the Israeli Knesset. Today, every supporter of terrorism will know that the days have passed to do as they please in the State of Israel.”
Im Tirtzu Movement (Facebook, 6 December 2022)
“This morning there was an insane demonstration in support of the terrorist[22] who participated in the brutal lynching (…) during the May 2021 riots in Acre! Do you recognize them? They may be your neighbors. They may work with you. They could study with you. Our investigations department in Arabic began examining those who arrived to support the terrorist, in addition to the senior officials of the Balad Party[23] (…) Do you have any information? Share it with us.”
Amichay Eliyahu, Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage, MK for the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party (Twitter, 27 December 2022)
“I proposed a bill to the Knesset to deny scholarships to students who express support for terrorism and wave enemy flags. It is not possible for us to fund supporters of terrorism; it is time to fix it.”
IV. Against the United Nations and the European Union
Gilad Erdan, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations (Twitter, 1 December 2022)
“Today the #UNGA passed a shameful resolution[24]calling for an official event to commemorate the Palestinian “Nakba” on the 75th Anniversary of the creation of the State of Israel. By passing such an extreme and baseless resolution, the UN is only helping to perpetuate the conflict.”
Gilad Erdan, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations (Twitter, 30 December 2022)
“Today the UN will vote on a resolution asking the ICJ to recommend [25] steps against Israel. The Palestinians have rejected every peace initiative but instead of pushing them to change, the UN is helping them to harm the only vibrant democracy in the Middle East. Absurd!”
Eli Cohen, Minister of Foreign Affairs, MK for the Likud party (Twitter, 31 December 2022)
“The UN General Assembly’s resolution to request an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an anti-Israel resolution that supports terrorist organizations and the anti-Semitic BDS movement and works against the principles agreed upon by the UN itself. This initiative is another mistake by the Palestinian leadership, which has supported and incited terrorism for years and is leading its people in a way that harms the Palestinians themselves and the possibility of resolving the conflict. Instead of acting for the benefit of the Palestinian population and fighting terrorism, the Palestinian leadership promotes futile efforts to harm Israel (…).”
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, MK and Chairman of the Likud party (Twitter, 31 December 2202)
“The UN’s despicable resolution[26] will not bind the Israeli government under my leadership. The Jewish people are not occupiers in their land, and they are not occupiers in our eternal capital, Jerusalem. No UN resolution will distort this historical fact.”
Bezalel Smotrich, Minister of Finance, MK, chairman of the Religious Zionism party, (Twitter, 19 December 2022)[27]
“The blatant involvement of the European Union in the Palestinian Authority’s efforts to establish facts on the ground and unilaterally establish a de facto Arab terrorist state[28] in the heart of the State of Israel is unacceptable, contrary to international law, and incompatible with basic diplomatic rules in relations between states.”
Im Tirtzu Movement (Facebook, 6 December 2022)
“The European Union and the German government are investing millions in anti-Zionist propaganda through programs approved by the Israeli education system. Share Channel 14’s important investigation[29] (…)”
V. Against Human Rights Defenders
Hanoch Dov Milwidsky, MK for the Likud party (Instagram, 15 December 2022)
“I will not let them slander the IDF[30] and harm our soldiers! Avner Gvaryahu and Breaking the Silence[31] – the despicable organization he heads, are actively working against the State of Israel and are in favor of IDF soldiers standing trial in the International Court of Justice. These are people who actively collect information about IDF soldiers in order to harm them. As long as it’s up to me, the Knesset will not “normalize” with these people!”
Im Tirtzu Movement (Twitter, 15 December 2022)
“Breaking the Silence does not represent anyone in Israel. An organization planted and funded by foreign countries. By the way, why is there a flag of Ukraine? What about the Syrian flag? They don’t massacre civilians there? Iranian flag?”
Ayelet Shaked, Former Interior Minister and Former MK for the Yamina Party(Facebook, 18 December 2022)
“Just before the transfer of powers in the Interior Ministry to the incoming minister, I continued to work with all my might for Israel’s security and to advance the fight against terrorism. After I made the important decision to revoke the status of the despicable terrorist Salah Hammouri[32], I ordered his immediate removal from the country. The long process was completed early this morning, and he was deported to France. Hammouri, a terrorist active in the Popular Front who was in Israeli prison, planned several attacks (…) Hammouri has one goal, harming Jews and promoting terrorist activities. There is no reason for terrorists like Hammouri and his like to have status in Israel and stay in the country one more moment after its cancellation (…)”
Avigdor Lieberman, MK for the Yisrael Beitenu (Israel Our Home) party (Twitter, 18 December 2022)
“It is not possible that the terrorist Salah Hammouri who was convicted in court, released, returned to his evil ways, and deported - is welcomed as a hero in France. To add insult to injury, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs reprimands Israel. This is not how terrorism is fought, but how terrorism and terrorists are encouraged - both in Israel and France.”
Aryeh Machluf Deri, Minister of the Interior, Minister of Health, MK for Shas party (Twitter, 18 December 2022)
“I welcome the completion of the deportation process of the terrorist Salah Hammouri, which I announced as the Minister of the Interior in September 2020. The terrorist mentioned above was a member of the terrorist organization, the Popular Front, and was involved in incitement and terrorist activities (…) I made the decision to revoke his permanent residency in Israel and thus deport him from the country.”
Almog Cohen, MK for the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party (Facebook, 20 December 2022)
“Today, I proposed the “Financing Incitement[33]” bill to the Knesset. A law that will stop the flow of incitement funds within the borders of the State of Israel, after decades of funding to extremist organizations [34] in Israel from funds partially financed by enemy countries. The bill was introduced with the help of the research department of the ‘Im Tirtzu’ organization, and it will put an end to the flow of incitement funds into Israel.”
VI. Additional Examples
Avigdor Lieberman, MK for the Yisrael Beitenu (Israel Our Home) party (Facebook, 6 December 2022)
“It is unacceptable that Al Jazeera is suing Israel and preaching morality to us. It does not make sense that this body has the right to broadcast in the State of Israel. I expect the government press office to revoke the journalist credentials of Al Jazeera reporters in Israeli territory.”
Orit Malka Strock, Minister of National Missions, MK for the Religious Zionism party, (Twitter, 12 December 2022)
“It doesn’t matter what party you are from or what party you voted for - we will help all the settlers, wherever they are because settlement is the lifeblood of Zionism (…)”
Hanoch Dov Milwidsky, MK for the Likud party (Facebook, 4 December 2022)
“I am pleased to inform you that today we submitted a bill [35] granting immunity to the security forces from criminal prosecution for military activities. The intolerable situation our security forces are in today - cannot continue! I am committed to continuing to take care of and protect our soldiers and all the security forces.”
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, MK and Chairman of the Likud party, (Twitter, 25 December 2022)
“These are the basic guidelines of the national government headed by me: The Jewish people have an exclusive and inalienable right to all areas of the Land of Israel. The government will promote and develop settlement in all areas of the Land of Israel – in the Galilee, the Negev, the Golan, and Judea and Samaria[36].”
[1] MK Benjamin Gantz, head of the National Unity party and Israel’s former Minister of “Defense”
[2] In reference to Nasser Abu Hmeid (49), a Palestinian prisoner who died of lung cancer as a result of Israel's systematic medical negligence.
[3] On 2 December, an occupation soldier executed with cold blood Palestinian youth Ammar Mifleh (22 years old from Osrin village south of Nablus) in the town of Huwwara. According to Palestinian eyewitnesses, an armed Israeli settler opened fire towards Mifleh from his car’s window then hit another car. Soon after, the occupation soldier violently grabbed Mifleh and executed him on the spot.
[4] See footnote 1
[5] Arab Palestinian MK for the Hadash-Ta’al party
[6] Danon’s criticism of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, who tweeted, “Horrified by today’s killing of a Palestinian man (…) such incidents must be fully & promptly investigated & those responsible held accountable.”
[7] In reference to the Nation State Law, which states that Israel is the national state of the Jewish people
[8] In reference to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons
[9] In reference to a report on the purchase of new televisions by the Israeli prison system
[10] In reference to Jana Zakarneh, a 16-year-old Palestinian girl, who climbed to the roof of the house to check on her cat after hearing the intensity of the firing during an Israeli military incursion into Jenin. An Israeli sniper fired four bullets at Jana, two in the chest and two in the face, killing her.
[11] An Israeli right-wing Zionist organization
[12] Commenting on a video posted by Gaza-based journalist Muhammad Smiry of a blind Palestinian man playfully kicking a ball in a yard within Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound.
[13] In reference to the Palestinian people
[14] In reference to the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
[15] On 30 December 2022, the UNGA voted in favor of submitting a request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of Israel's occupation, settlement and annexation of the Palestinian territory. The resolution was passed with the support of 87 Member States
[16] MK for the United Arab List party
[17] Sheikh Raed Salah is the leader of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel and was arrested several times under the claim of “supporting terrorism.”
[18] In reference to other Arab Palestinian MKs
[19] In reference to Ayman Odeh, MK for the Hadash-Ta’al party
[20] In reference to the normalization agreements signed between Israel and four Arab countries
[21] In response to the decision of the Knesset Security Officer to prevent Haifa Municipal Council Member Raja Zaatreh from entering the Knesset
[22] In reference to Adham Bashir, a Palestinian citizen of Israel. For his alleged participation in a lynching during demonstrations against Israeli aggression against Palestinians in May 2021, Bashir was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Im Tirtzu movement is commenting on a news report showing supporters of Bashir including public figures and MKs protesting outside the Israeli jail.
[23] In reference to the National Democratic Assembly party led by Sami Abu Shehadeh. The party did not meet the electoral threshold to enter the Knesset.
[24] On 1 December 2022, the UNGA adopted a resolution to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba by holding a high-level event on 15 May 2023.
[25] See footnote 15
[26] Ibid
[27] Smotrich tweet comes in response to a panel discussion on Israel Channel 13 accusing the European Union of providing financial assistance to the Palestinians to solidify their control over the Oslo-defined “Area C.”
[28] In reference to the State of Palestine
[29] In reference to the funding that Israeli civil society and human rights organizations receive from international foundations and foreign governments. The Israeli Channel 14th report cited some of these organizations advocating for the rights of Palestinian society, including Adala, Breaking the Silence, Avraham initiatives, and Givat Haviva, two promoting shared societies, as well as the Forum of bereaved families.
[30] In reference to the Israeli occupation forces
[31] Avner Gvaryahu is the head of Breaking the Silence, which is an Israeli organization of veteran soldiers that served in the Israeli occupation army. They work to expose the Israeli public to the reality of everyday life in the occupied Palestinian territory.
[32] Salah Hammouri is a Palestinian – French lawyer working for Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association. The occupation authorities revoked his permanent residency in occupied Jerusalem and expelled him to France on 18 December 2022, which Amnesty International describes as a "war crime'. See: https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/132482
[33] The bill forbids NGOs from receiving funds from a state that has no agreement with Israel
[34] In reference to Human Rights organizations in Israel
[35] The bill was submitted early December 2022 to give immunity to occupation soldiers from any criminal prosecution for actions taken during Israeli military incursions into occupied Palestine.
[36] In reference to the occupied West Bank of the State of Palestine