Israeli Official Incitement: June 2019

Israeli Official Incitement: June 2019

This report highlights recent inciting statements made by senior Israeli officials; including members of Israeli political parties, newly elected members of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset), as well as leaders of extremist and illegal settlers’ organizations. It includes examples of official Israeli incitement against the Palestinian people, the indigenous Palestinian citizens of Israel, the BDS Movement, as well as against the President of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian leadership.

I. The Ongoing Israeli Assault on Gaza

Moshe Ya’alon, MK Blue and White party, (Radio 103 FM, 14 June)

“The results of the Operation Cast Lead was that Hamas did not dare to fire one rocket. Now there is no deterrence. Hamas should have received a strong blow since long time, however the response was weak…first Hamas must pay the price, and not transfer money to it, we must strike… Hamas did not fire rockets following Operation Cast Lead because 10 thousand buildings were destroyed in this operation. I was about to send Hamas a strong blow... the possibility of a ground invasion still exists.”

Bezalel Smotrich, MK United Right party, stressed in a post on Twitter on 13 June, that the only solution for Gaza problem is the solution he proposed; full occupation of the Gaza strip and returning settlement to it

“If about 40 buildings comprised of several floors were wiped out today in Gaza following the launching of the first rocket, no rocket would have fallen on the military religious school in Sderot. A painful military response is important in the short term. For the long term I remind you of my sole solution for Gaza Problem.” 

Bezalel Smotrich, MK United Right party, (Ynet, 2 June)

“Let Gaza rotten, let them die of hunger, thirst and Malaria.”

II. The Palestinian Bedouin Village of Khan Al-Ahmar

Moshe Ya’alon, MK Blue and White party, (Twitter, 17 June)

“The evacuation of Al-Khan Al-Ahmar is renewed again. Statements, promises, postponement…. It is frustrating that even the Supreme Court cannot be blamed. Netanyahu is a strong right with talks. It is time to change.”

Regavim, an Illegal Settler Organization, (Facebook, 6 June)

“Today marks 200 days since Netanyahu promised to evacuate the illegal outpost of Al-Khan Al-Ahmar...we are still waiting… we will bring back sovereignty to the state.”

III.BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) Movement 

Reuven Rivlin, President of Israel, (Twitter, 20 June)

“At the International Conference on Combating antisemitism and the BDS campaign held by the Ministers of Strategic Affairs, I said this morning that the BDS does not pursue peace or assist our Palestinian neighbors. They only seek to undermine the very existence of Israel, and we must use all the tools we have to defeat the BDS and eliminate hatred and discrimination.”

Gilad Erdan, Minister of Public Security, Minister of Strategic Affairs, Minister of Information, MK Likud party, (Twitter, 20 June)

“Thank you, Mr. President, for your important speech and for all the participants from around the world. It is our duty to cooperate together, Israelis and the Jews of the world, to fight the anti-Semitic organization and listen to each other. I am very proud of the network of organizations that …. have condemned the BDS and revealed its lies and hypocrisy. We will continue to fight to protect Israel."

IV. The Indigenous Palestinian Citizens of Israel

Miri Regev, Minister of Culture and Sport, MK Likud party, on Al-Karma theatre in Haifa hosting Palestinian singer Tamer Naffar, a resident of Al-Lod, whom she described as anti-Semite (Facebook, 10 June)

“…this is unbearable that a festival in Israel allows satanic performances for the performers of anti-Semitism and terror (like Tamer Naffar), just like the “Palestinian Culture Festival” which will be held in Al-Karma Theater in Haifa. There is something to do about it: the law allows the withdrawal of funding from institutions that seek to work against the identity and the establishment of the state of Israel….”

V. President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Leadership 

Miri Regev, Minister of Culture and Sport, MK Likud party (Facebook, 24 June)

“You give them all the capabilities but unfortunately they keep rejecting any opportunity to improve the situation of their people. They are only concerned about the leadership. A leadership which boosts terror and incitement and is not really interested in social welfare, education and employment for the Palestinian citizens living in Gaza (….) not returning territories, there is no peace in return for land, there is peace in return for peace, economy in return for economy… not conceding territories in return for achieving peace.”

Moshe Ya’alon, MK Blue and White party, (Twitter, 5 June)

“The Palestinian Authority wont collapse. The Palestinian Authority’s support to prisoners based on the extent of bloodshed they achieved must stop. The world, those countries donating, must stop funding them not only to stop paying the terrorists but to stop their incitement in the education system that is teaching children from the age of 3 years to kill us.”

VI. Additional Examples 

Itamar Ben Gvir, Leader of Oztma Yehudit party (part of the United Right party), (Twitter, 30 June)

“When watching the videos and images from al-Isawiyeh and Shu'fat, in which hundreds of terrorists launch fireworks directly at police officers, and hurl stones and Molotov cocktails, while the police react with very poor means, the impression is that East Jerusalem is becoming Ramallah.”

Regavim, an illegal Settlers Organization in a sarcastic video against the declaration of the establishment of a Palestinian State (Facebook, 24 June)

“We hereby declare the establishment of a Palestinian state. How will the members of Knesset and the Prime Minister vote on the establishment of the terror state? "

Itamar Ben Gvir, Leader of Oztma Yehudit party (part of the United Right party), (Twitter, 22 June)

“In a normal country the instructions in this case are simple; Shoot to kill. Only in Israel terrorists are endangering the lives of our soldiers and are trying to kill them, the soldiers have only the authority to use gas…”

Ariel Kallner, MK Likud party, on arresting Palestinian man Mahmoud Qatusa from Deir Qadis village in Ramallah governorate who was unjustly accused of kidnapping and raping a Jewish child (Twitter, 17 June)

“The shocking rape of 7 years old girl is a terror attack based on nationalistic motives. We know the barbarian nature of our enemies for 100 years. To the citizens of Israel – pay attention to whom you employ and whom you are bringing home.”