Israeli Official Incitement: January 2021

Israeli Official Incitement: January 2021

This report highlights inciting statements made by senior Israeli officials, including parliament members and representatives of the settlers' organizations, against the Palestinian people and leadership. It also highlights the fierce incitement campaign against the indigenous Palestinian citizens of Israel, particularly members of the Joint List party, ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections that will take place next month on 23 March. The report also includes various political statements by senior Israeli officials endorsing colonization and annexation schemes against the land and people of Palestine.

I. Palestinian Prisoners, Martyrs, and their Families

Ayelet Shaked- Member of the Knesset for the Yemina Party (Twitter, 01 January)

"I thought there would be nothing that would surprise me in this government, but here is the blood money1 still flowing to the terrorists2. Although the law on deducting terrorists' funds has been approved3, the government still refuses to implement it, and the killers’ wages are transferred without delay. Unfortunately, this is the clear message: It pays off to be a terrorist."

Im Tirtzu4 retweeted a post by Advocate Maurice Hirsch5 (Twitter6, 04 January)

"While they are appealing to the Supreme Court7 against the decision to demolish the house, the terrorist8 and his family enjoy a monthly wage of 4,000 shekels, which the Palestinian Authority pays him as a prize (…) On the other hand, the prisoner also received a Corona vaccination. It seems that it is pays off to kill Jews!"

II. The Indigenous Palestinian Citizens of Israel

Naftali Bennett- Member of the Knesset for Yemina party (Facebook, 03 January)

"(…) the prime minister (…)deliberately partnered with Mansour Abbas9 and the southern Islamic Movement party10 who support the murderous terrorists11- and this is all for political gain.

Here are some facts about the alliance, Netanyahu-Mansour Abbas, and judge for yourself:

1. Mansour Abbas, with whom Netanyahu allied, in 2013 visited the family of murderers who killed soldiers in 1992.

2. The southern Islamic movement of Mansour Abbas is affiliated with the "Muslim Brotherhood" and Hamas.

3. Member of Parliament Al-Kharumi12 uploaded pictures of Barghouthi13 and the killers of the Buraq Revolution14 (…)Unfortunately, Netanyahu signed an agreement with a party that openly supports terrorists for the sake of political gains."

 

Gideon Sa'ar- Former Likud Member of the Knesset and Head of the New Hope party (Twitter, 11 January)

"Better be late than never. I praise the district court's decision in Lod to prevent the screening of the movie "Jenin, Jenin"15 which presented lies about the army and its soldiers. I led this position, which was adopted by a decision of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee several months ago. We will always support the army, the most moral army in the world, its officers and soldiers."

Moshe (Bogie) Ya'alon- Member of the Knesset for the Telem16 party (Twitter, 12 January)

"The court's decision on banning the screening of the film "Jenin, Jenin" creates historic justice for the soldiers in general, and for the soldiers and victims of the battle17 in Jenin and their families in particular. Freedom of expression is not freedom to lie, defame, and incite. The court's decision is an important lesson in the war against a culture of forgery and lies."

Naftali Bennett- Member of the Knesset for the Yemina Party (Facebook, 12 January)

"Muhammad Bakri is a liar and rotten who slandered IDF soldiers- now this is official.

Justice was served, years late.

The soldiers who fought in Jenin in the same battle - you are heroes and all the people of Israel are proud of you.

We will forever remember the 13 victims - soldiers who fell in the Battle of Jenin during the "Defensive Shield" operation."

Avi Dichter- Member of the Knesset for the Likud party (Facebook, 12 January)

"During the difficult battle that the soldiers led in front of hundreds of terrorists in Jenin within the operation "Defensive Shield" (2002), the Palestinians tried to create a false reality that hundreds of innocent Palestinians were killed (…) this did not deter director Muhammad Bakri, a well-known Israeli hater, from producing a false and distorted film that revives the version of the massacre that did not happen.A group of warriors and families of the victims led a legal battle to preserve the good name of the warriors and victims. They succeeded in this battle in front of the cinematic terrorist Bakri(...)"

Uzi Dayan- Member of the Knesset for the Likud party (Facebook, 17 January)

 "(…)This is the difference between those18 who push Arab citizens to vote for Likud and represent them properly, and those19 who try in every way to reach power with Tibi20 and Yazbak21 from the joint anti-Zionist party that is proud of supporting terrorism!"

Miki Zohar- Member of the Knesset for the Likud party (Twitter, 13 January)

"We received further proof which justified our claim that the Joint List does not serve the interests of the Arab citizens of Israel, but rather promotes the rift between Jews and Arabs.

The violent demonstrations today22 are the result of constant incitement by members of Parliament, using this invalid way to get their votes.

Their Weakening their power, according to polls, is a result of the awakening of the Arab community."

Bezalel Smotrich - Member of the Knesset for the National Union party23 (Twitter, 17 January)

"7 A.24(A) A list of candidates will not participate in the parliamentary elections, and no candidate will be in the parliamentary elections if it is in the goals of the list, the person, including declarations, a clear indication in one of the following:

1. Undermining the existence of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state25; (…)

III. Against President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Leadership

Avi Dicter- Member of the Knesset for the Likud party (Facebook, 12 January)

"Vaccinating the Israelis first, inside the Green Line and in Judea and Samaria26. This is the policy of the State of Israel.

This morning, former members of parliament and activists in left-wing organizations started a campaign calling for Israel to vaccinate Palestinians in parallel with the vaccination of Israeli citizens. This is not as much love for the Palestinians as it is a spit and a slap in the face of millions of Israelis who are fighting Corona and are paying the price for that over the past year. Why should Israel take responsibility for vaccinating the residents of Gaza, before finishing the vaccination of all its citizens (Jews and Arabs)?

What did the campaign activists and those who fund it do to persuade the Palestinian Authority to stop paying wages to the Israeli killers?27 (…)They need to be vaccinated against hypocrisy."

Regavim28 (Facebook, 25 January)

"The Palestinian Authority held a special celebration yesterday, when it planted 2,000 trees on state lands29, next to the village of Deir Ballut30. The area where trees were planted is part of the army's 203 firing zone (…) According to the documentation published by Radio Zitouna, which is close to the Fatah movement, we can see Palestinian policemen also entering the army's firing zone, and they participated in the event with guns despite being prevented from entering "Area C". The strategy is clear and declared! The "agricultural control" implemented by the Palestinian Authority aims to control lands adjacent to Israeli settlements and areas of high political importance. The Authority is joining the tree-planting ceremonies by means of systematic "agricultural occupation" at a time when the State of Israel is falling into a state of lethargy and helplessness (...)"

Regavim (Twitter, 20 January)

"Once again, with Palestinian Authority funding: an additional new school being built in an army firing zone. A new and illegal school joined the series of schools that the Palestinian Authority is building in Area C, which is under Israeli control. The goal of these steps is clear: to take control of state lands and build a geographical extension between Palestinian villages. But now, the school was built on land prepared for army training!"

Im Tirtzu (Facebook, 31 January)

"(…)In light of the increase in terrorism and the silent occupation in Judea, Samaria31, the Negev and the Galilee during the past year, we will go tomorrow to "Reihan"32 to show the Israeli sovereignty.

The fight over the future of the land in Judea and Samaria33 is in our hands. The Palestinian Authority is trying to control every non-inhabited area, and the far-left organizations are using all means to help them control the land in illegal ways. It is time for the Zionist response!"

Yossi Dagan- Head of the Illegal Settlers Council in the occupied West Bank so-called 'Samaria Regional Council' (Facebook, 26 January)

"(…)I ask the government to learn from our dear soldiers how to exterminate terrorism - not with words, but with action (…) the army must do all its efforts against the 'Palestinian Authority', which incites, funds and promotes terrorism(…)" 

Maor Tzemach- Chairman of Settlers Organization "Lach Yerushalaym"34 (For Thee Jerusalem) - (Facebook, 18 January)

"The activity of the Palestinian Authority in Jerusalem35 is contrary to the application law, which does not allow the Palestinian Authority to act in any way in the city. Israel is the sovereign of East Jerusalem and must not allow any foreign interference in the management of the city's civil affairs. "Israel must stop a project of this kind, humanitarian as it may be, and thus prevent a violation of Israel's sovereignty in Jerusalem."

IV. Additional Examples

Matan Kahana- Member of the Knesset for the Yemina party (Facebook, 25 January)

"The pioneers36  of the 21st Century. The residents of the farm37, who sacrifice to protect the land, create a geographical extension and prevent, with their bodies, any future possibility of establishing a Palestinian terror state in the heart of the state of Israel(...)"

Im Tirtzu (Twitter, 21 January)

From the conversation with Minister of Settlement Affairs Tzachi Hanegbi: "The European Union is investing great resources to support the Palestinian Authority to implement the Fayyad Peace Plan, to surround settlements and main streets in Judea and Samaria38, and to try to impose facts on the ground and expel our feet from our homeland."

Maor Tzemach- Chairman of Settlers Organization "Lach Yerushalaym"39 (For Thee Jerusalem) - ( Facebook, 27 January)

"This is not an official school40 , but it is not possible that in Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Israel, students will mark a day of remembrance for murderous terrorists41 Such incitement has not been seen on the social networks of the educational institutions in East Jerusalem for a long time and indicates a much bigger problem below the surface. I call on Public Security Minister Amir Ohana to issue an administrative order to close the school today. The inciting school must be closed by an administrative order today!"

V. Political Positions

Uzi Dayan- Member of the Knesset for the Likud party (Facebook, 01 January)

"(…) On the way to impose full sovereignty, we have to regulate all the unrecognized settlements42 and neighbourhoods. This has nothing to do with the Bedouins, as the Minister of Defence tries to do. We have to regulate everything related to settlements in Judea and Samaria43. We have to do that as soon as possible, because our brothers are being tortured without water, electricity, transportation lines and etc. (...)"

Ofir Sofer- Member of the Knesset for the National Union party44 (Facebook, 05 January 2021)

"All unrecognized settlements must be regulated without conditions! Today I met the hunger strikers in the unrecognized settlements' tent in front of the prime minister's office.

We have to regulate the unrecognized settlements through the prime minister's decision and with the support of Defence Minister Benny Gantz. We have to settle all the unrecognized settlements without conditions and forever. We are talking here about Zionist action, and more importantly, we are talking about basic and humanitarian action.

It is inconceivable that steps will be taken to regularize the wild takeover of the Bedouins in the Negev, and the settlers of the pioneering young settlement45 (…)will not receive their most basic rights such as electricity, water and traffic routes."

Ariel Kallner- Member of Knesset for the Likud party (Facebook, 04 January)

"Strengthening the pioneers46 who are fighting for the land of Israel!

Every acre we will not settle in, we will lose it.

This is a game with one result: either ours, or God forbid, theirs.

I came to support the essence of Judea, who today prevented a group of Arabs from taking control of the Halhul47 hill.

Although the prevention will not be enough. We have to establish a Jewish settlement instead!"

May Golan- Member of Knesset for the Likud party (Facebook, 04 January)

"Today I came to the sit-in tent for the unrecognized settlements48. Regulating the settlements is not a matter of the right-wing or the left-wing, it is a moral and humanitarian matter. It is our duty! Every citizen, certainly also in Judea and Samaria49, is entitled to basic needs such as electricity, water, gas, traffic routes and more. I sincerely hope that the issue will soon be resolved and those wonderful pioneers and the salt of the earth who today began a hunger strike will be given adequate infrastructure and this is an evidence on the way to full sovereignty (…)"

Bezalel Smotrich - Member of the Knesset for the National Union Party (Twitter, 14 January)

"This demand50, preventing Arab building from becoming regulated at least until the Jewish settlements are regulated , is a sincere and practical demand, and it is unclear why Netanyahu did not think in this direction. I call on the prime minister to cancel the session on Sunday, because it is inconceivable that the Jewish settlement will dry up and on the other hand he will regulate the building for Arabs.51”

Rafi (Rafael) Peretz – Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage, MK Habayit Hayehudi (World Israel News, 19 January)

 “The State of Israel is the sovereign power in east Jerusalem. Foreign intervention in civil matters in the city of Jerusalem and severe violations of sovereignty are inconceivable This(…)should not be allowed to happen52. Sovereignty [takes place] not in speech but in deeds. This is a project that severely violates Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem and must not be carried out. In the coming days, I will do what it takes to stop this move.”

• 1. In reference to the social welfare allowances paid by the Palestinian National Authority to Palestinian prisoners and families of martyrs
• 2. In reference to Palestinian prisoners
• 3. In July 2018, Israel enacted a law authorizing the Israeli government to deduct the allowances paid to Palestinian prisoners and families of Palestinian martyrs from the tax revenues that Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinian National Authority
• 4. An Israeli right-wing Zionist organization
• 5. Maurice Hirsch served in the Israeli occupation army as a Lt. Col. (res), currently Head of Legal Strategies for the so-called Palestinian Media Watch (Israeli NGO monitoring what they claim as ‘incitement’ in Palestinian Media). Hirsch previously served as Director of the Military Prosecution in the occupied West Bank
• 6. The tweet was later deleted
• 7. In reference to Palestinian families of prisoners and leftist organizations
• 8. In reference to Palestinian prisoner Mohammad Kabaha , a resident of Tura village in Jenin Governorate
• 9. Leader of Raam party (also called Southern Islamic Movement) in the Joint List party. The Joint List party is an alliance between Hadash, Raam, Balad and Taal parties
• 10. In reference to Raam party in the Joint List party
• 11. In reference to Palestinian prisoners and martyrs
• 12. In reference to MK Saeed Alkharumi, member of the Joint List Party
• 13. In reference to Palestinian prisoner Marwan Al-Barghouthi
• 14. Refers to the uprising that broke out in 1929 during the British mandate over Palestine, when Palestinians revolted against Jewish immigrants who gathered at al- Buraq wall, an Islamic Waqf Property, to perform prayers in an attempt to seize it and declare it as sacred to Jews
• 15. A movie directed by Palestinian actor/filmmaker Muhammad Bakri, a citizen of Israel, which documents the events of the Jenin refugee camp massacre committed by the Israeli occupation army in 2002
• 16. Used to be Yesh Atid-Telem party, the two parties split. Bogie Yaalon announced that he will not run in the coming elections that will take place on 23 March 2021
• 17. In reference to Israeli soldiers who were killed during the Israeli assault on Jenin refugee camp.
• 18. In reference to Likud party led by PM Benjamin Netanyahu
• 19. In reference to leader of Yesh Atid party Yair Lapid who said in an interview with Channel 12 that he is ready to form a coalition with the Joint List if needed
• 20. In reference to MK Ahmad Al-Tibi member of the Joint List Party
• 21. In reference to MK Heba Yazbal , member of the Joint List party
• 22. In reference to the demonstrations that broke out in Nazareth against the visit of the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to the city. Read More:https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/top-arab-mk-condemns-netany...
• 23. On January 20, The Knesset House Committee approved MK Bezalel Smotrich's request to have the National Union party split from the Yemina party. The National Union party has currently two members MK Ofir Sofer and MK Bezalel Smotrich
• 24. Part of the Knesset Basic law
• 25. Inciting against the National Democratic party (Balad), part of the Joint List party, calling for preventing it from running in the upcoming Knesset elections because it champions turning the State of Israel into a "state of all of its citizens" which according to Smotrich undermines the state of Israel as a Jewish state.
• 26. In reference to the occupied West Bank of the State of Palestine
• 27. In reference to Palestinian prisoners and martyrs
• 28. A right-wing settler organization operating in the occupied West Bank
• 29. Claiming that this land belongs to the State of Israel
• 30. A Palestinian town located in Salfit Governorate in the occupied West Bank
• 31. In reference to the occupied West Bank of the State of Palestine
• 32. “Reihan” is an illegal Israeli settlement in the northwest edge of the occupied West Bank
• 33. In reference to the occupied West Bank of the State of Palestine
• 34. An Israeli settlers organization promoting the Judaization of Jerusalem
• 35. In reference to President Mahmoud Abbas initiativeto renovate 50 houses in occupied East Jerusalem to support the steadfastness of Palestinians living in the city. News Item in Arabic : https://safa.news/post/299458/%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%A...
• 36. In reference to Israel’s illegal settlers
• 37. A farm set up by a group of illegal settlers in the occupied Jordan Valley
• 38. In reference to the occupied West Bank of the State of Palestine
• 39. An Israeli settlers organization promoting the Judaization of Jerusalem
• 40. In reference to Al-Fatah Al-Laje'a, an Elementary School in occupied East Jerusalem operated by the Islamic Waqf
• 41. In reference to the annual commemoration of the Palestinian Martyrs Day which falls on January 7
• 42. A bill proposed by MK Bezalel Smotrich to regulate “young settlementsin the occupied West Bank of Palestine. The bill passed in the preliminary reading at the Knesset on 16 December 2020. “Young settlements” is a term that refers to Israeli settlements ” (outposts recognized as illegal by Israel) that are not connected to basic infrastructure as water and electricity
• 43. In reference to the occupied West Bank of the State of Palestine
• 44. On January 20, The Knesset House Committee approved MK Bezalel Smotrich's request to have the National Union party split from the Yemina party. The National Union party has two members MK Ofir Sofer and MK Bezalel Smotrich
• 45. In reference to Israel's colonial installations (outposts)
• 46. In reference to Israel’s illegal settlers
• 47. Palestinian city in Hebron Governorate
• 48. In reference to Israel's colonial installations (outposts)
• 49. In reference to the occupied West Bank of the State of Palestine
• 50. A Letter sent by “Young Settlements Forum” addressing Prime Minister Netanyahu demanding him to stop Palestinian construction in Area C. It suggests that Netanyahu in his coalition with the so called Defence Minister Benny Gantz accepts the idea that the latter proposed to allow Palestinian construction in Area C. News Item in Hebrew https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/SylmUN9CP
• 51. Means allowing Palestinians building in Area C in the occupied West Bank
• 52. In reference to President Mahmoud Abbas initiative to renovate 50 houses in occupied East Jerusalem to support the steadfastness of Palestinians living in the city