Israeli Official Incitement: August 2023

I. Against the Palestinian People

Itamar Ben Gvir, Minister of National Security, Member of Knesset for the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party in an interview with Channel 12 News (Haa’retz, 23 August 2023)

“My right, the right of my wife and my children to move around Judea and Samaria[1] is more important than freedom of movement for the Arabs. The right to life comes before freedom of movement.”

Itamar Ben Gvir, Minister of National Security, Member of Knesset for the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party in a statement (Times of Israel, 6 August 2023)[2]

“My policy is clear. Anyone who defends himself against rock-throwing should get a medal of honor.”

Amichay Eliyahu, Minister of Heritage, Member of Otzma Yehudit party (Jewish Power) (Twitter, 28 August 2023)[3]

“When a person threatens my right to life, I limit his civil rights just a little bit, and allow the normative person to live on. Why apartheid? Does a prison constitute apartheid? When you take a prison and put a prisoner in it you limit his rights, is that apartheid?”

Limor Sonn Har Melech, Member of Knesset for the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party (Twitter, 29 August 2023)

“If there is no room in prison for Arab terrorism activists[4], I suggest they release all the administrative detainees from the settlements’ youth[5], who are held without trial, probably not even for property violations.”

Orit Malka Strock, Minister of National Missions, Member of Knesset for the Religious Zionism party (Twitter, 14 August 2023)

“Yehiel Indore[6] has gone through an emotional and physical trauma, he is in pain, and requires rest and rehabilitation. Of course, he did not initiate the lynch event[7]  in which he was injured, at the most, he reacted to a threat to his life. He should not be under arrest, but at home resting, and at the most, to be interrogated. Despite this injustice, I was impressed that he was receiving medical and humane treatment from the Prison Service. I will keep monitoring.”

May Golan, Minister for the Advancement of the Status of Women, Member of Knesset for the Likud party (Twitter, 14 August 2023)

“Yehiel Indore was injured in the lynching event and defended himself (in contrary to thousands of cases[8]). Gideon Levi[9] and other “human rights” organizations should not petition the High Court of Justice against transferring a severely injured man from the hospital for interrogation purposes.

Yehiel Indore has gone through severe physical and emotional trauma, and required continued rehabilitation. He is first and foremost, a citizen of Israel, and he should receive the best care, especially in his condition. I intent to follow closely to make sure his rights are being protected according to the law.”

Amichay Eliyahu, Minister of Heritage, Member of Otzma Yehudit party (Jewish Power) (Twitter, 19 August 2023)

“(…) a village[10] that serves as a warm home to terrorists’ cells must be dealt with accordingly. A complete clean out. The judgment of Huwara is the same as the Judgment of Jenin[11].”

Hanoch Dov Milwidsky, Member of Knesset for the Likud party (Twitter, 2 August 2023) [12]

“Congratulations to the Minister of Education, Yoav Kisch, on the right and brave decision. The post-Zionism madness of “shared loss” and comparing terrorists[13] to IDF fallen soldiers cannot be a part of the Israeli state formalities.”

Tally Gotliv, Member of Knesset for the Likud party (Twitter, 9 August 2023)

“Murder suspects”[14] shame on anyone who defamed the Jewish settlers in Samaria, who fell victim of a terrorist attack by dozens of terrorists[15] who threw rocks and bricks at them. A Jew is allowed to defend himself! Let all terrorists[16] know that a Jew has the right to defend himself from them. As I said, the two settlers were released from custody (…)”

Boaz Bismuth, Member of Knesset for the Likud party (Twitter, 23 August 2023)

“(…) They[17] will uproot and we will grow. They will sanctify death, and we will sanctify life. This is the Zionist response appropriate to terrorism – A people building in their land.”

Bezalel Smotrich, Minister of Finance, Member of Knesset for the Religious Zionism Party (Twitter, 8 August 2023)[18]

“(…) however, the previous plan for East Jerusalem included a clause aimed at encouraging the integration of East Jerusalem Arabs[19] into Jerusalem universities and colleges, granting them benefits and preferences over other students. The rationale for this clause (which amounts to hundreds of millions) is to promote higher education and advanced employment prospects for East Jerusalem Arabs, encouraging them to study in Israeli academia instead of Arab universities like Birzeit or Al-Najah, important goals that should be pursued independently. However, the current situation has turned this clause into a problem. In recent years, extremist Islamic cells have developed within Israeli universities and colleges, expressing solidarity with Israel's enemies and often intimidating other students[20]. In times of security tension, they make the lives of Jewish students unbearable. Moreover, these Arab students receive preferential treatment over Jewish students who have served in the military and reserve duty. We do not want Arab students to study at Birzeit and then we get Birzeit in our universities (…)”

Yoav Ben Tzur, Minister of Labor, Member of Shas party (Twitter, 21 August 2023)

“Our enemies sanctify death and we sanctify life. With joy mixed with sadness, today, I initiated the Social Security branch in Shaa’r Binyamin[21]. This is a clear statement. Terrorist organizations[22] do not weaken us, on the contrary, they strengthen us. The Jewish people is unified. Strong and mighty. We will continue to build and root our grip on Judea and Samaria, our birthright”

Itamar Ben Gvir, Minister of National Security, Member of Knesset for the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party (Facebook, 29 August 2023)[23]

“(…) I informed the Shabak and Shabas that I will not be changing my position for even a moment – even a terrorist who threw a rock and missed, is a terrorist. And he does not deserve an early release from prison in any way.”

Itamar Ben Gvir, Minister of National Security, Member of Knesset for the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party (Twitter, 16 August 2023)

“Today I toured the Ofer Prison, where prisoners from Hamas, Fatah, the Popular Front and Islamic Jihad are held – to hear up close from the commanding staff and prison guards. To see the policy that I am promoting in the National Security Ministry is actually being implemented in the field, and the summer camp conditions[24] have stopped for terrorists[25] with bloody hands.”