Man arrested for Lapid Facebook threats

Police have arrested a Petah Tikva resident on suspicion of threatening Knesset Member and Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid on Facebook.

The man, 29, is suspected of writing: "In the (Jewish) month of Adar we will get to destroy the leftists, including Yair Lapid and his friends, and will hang them like we hung Haman and his sons."

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Police are familiar with the suspect due to his alleged involvement with Jewish terror incidents, also known as "price tag" actions.

Following a complaint filed with the police, investigators discovered threatening posts on the suspect's Facebook page.

Threat posted on suspect's Facebook page

"Did Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid imagine that his election to the Israeli Knesset would infuriate someone so much that he would think he should be hung along with all of his friends?" the suspect wrote.

"If such people sit in the Knesset, the Star of David should be removed from the flag and replaced with a swastika which is more characteristic of this country."

Police investigators located the suspect's address and arrested him. Police officials said they were taking the incident very seriously as the posts could pose a risk, and had therefore decided to detain the suspect as soon as possible.

The suspect told his investigators, "I am allowed to express my opinion."

An inquiry revealed that he had been involved in "price tag" incidents in the past. Police are expected to ask the Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court on Wednesday to extend his remand for further questioning.

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