The public battle against incitement on social media is escalating: Following an inciting post flagged by Channel 14, the Likud party turned to Israel Police this morning (Friday) demanding immediate action to locate the poster and commenters who enthusiastically supported his words. Likud emphasized that Israel is in a period where political violence is breaking new records, and that lack of a decisive response from law enforcement could lead to physical harm against elected officials.
The formal complaint filed with police sharply details the red line crossed by the post in question, making clear this is not protected speech under freedom of expression. Attorney Avi Halevi wrote on behalf of the Likud movement: “The use of this term is not just a curse. It is intended to strip away the very human and moral legitimacy of the Prime Minister and present him as a figure to be hated and whose loss should be celebrated.
“The implied message of the post is clear and dangerous: The Prime Minister is not presented as a political rival but as a person whose death is a joyous event worthy of public celebration. This is exactly the kind of discourse that blurs moral boundaries, legitimizes political violence, and encourages extremists to move from words to actions.”
The severity of the incident is also reflected in the string of responses written on the Facebook page of “Shmulik Batuf,” which included extreme expressions of hatred and targeted death wishes. Likud notes that these responses are tangible proof of how such posts feed and inflame a dangerous public atmosphere online.
In its appeal to police, the party demands opening a swift criminal proceeding, examining the full range of offenses taking shape under the circumstances, and taking harsh punitive measures. “The post is not political criticism. This is not legitimate expression of opinion within democratic discourse. This is a post that incites violence against the Prime Minister and calls for turning his death into a festive event and a subject for mockery, joy, and public celebration.
“When public figures and political activists allow themselves to publish messages of this type without a decisive response from law enforcement authorities, it creates the opposite public message—as if political incitement is a tolerable phenomenon that can be accepted. This situation cannot continue,” the complaint states, emphasizing that the fight against incitement is a national and democratic interest unrelated to party affiliation.