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Party leaders weigh in on surge in incitement

The personal attacks, hurtful Facebook posts, and explicit calls to murder have reached new levels over the past week; Yedioth Ahronoth decided to ask party leaders to what degree they are targets for incitement, what part their supporters play in fanning the flames, and whether legislation is the solution.

Despite the important issue on the agenda, the war on poverty, tempers flared at the Knesset on Wednesday for an entirely different reason. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Isaac Herzog went head to head at the speaker's podium, and later continued their argument on Facebook. And if the mighty leaders have succumbed, how shall the weak citizens emerge unscathed? The posts Netanyahu and Herzog exchanged on the prime minister's official Facebook page dragged a trail of thousands of comments in their wake, some to the point and many others filled with hate and incitement.

 

 

Social media, which in recent years has become the main arena for arguments, is filled with swear words, abuse and death threats aimed at anyone who disagrees with the position of those doing the swearing: From an image of President Rivlin in Nazi uniform to explicit threats against senior ministers. Unlike the online comments of years gone by, this time there is no veil of anonymity to hide the poster - all of the insults, which at times border on incitement to murder, are written under one's full name. Many of the commenters no longer have any shame or, alternatively, have learned that they could say whatever they wanted and still get away with it.

 

Leftist protesters against incitement on Saturday (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
Leftist protesters against incitement on Saturday (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Yedioth Ahronoth has asked all of the leaders of Israel's political parties to address the issue. All have agreed, except for Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beytenu, whose spokesman said he was not willing to participate. The prime minister's Likud is represented by Minister Gila Gamliel, after Netanyahu chose not to participate.

 

Herzog, chairman of the Zionist Union: 'We need to teach that a keyboard can kill'

 

"I once again call on the prime minister to publicly say that the incitement against the president, Rubi Rivlin, must stop," says the chairman of the Zionist Union and the head of the opposition, Isaac Herzog, the day after the confrontation at the Knesset. "Netanyahu continues his incitement against our political camp, as he did 20 years ago at Zion Square. Back then, the incitement led to murder. This time he would not be able to dodge responsibility and say he didn't know, because I called on him to condemn the attacks against the president and take the appropriate measures. Words could turn into actions.

 

Isaac Herzog and Benjamin Netanyahu both addressed the issue in the Knesset this week (Photos: Knesset Spokesperson, Reuters) (Photos: Reuters, Knesset)
Isaac Herzog and Benjamin Netanyahu both addressed the issue in the Knesset this week (Photos: Knesset Spokesperson, Reuters)

 

"Our democracy is under attack which challenges everything to do with the freedom of expression. Incitement is dangerous on all sides. I supported the outlawing of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement, but I also support the outlawing of the Lehava organization on the right, which is just as inciting."

 

And what about Breaking the Silence, is that not incitement?

 

"Breaking the Silence is a legitimate organization, which crossed the line with its activity abroad. I am disgusted by what they did abroad, in presenting the IDF soldiers' actions to people who are not familiar with the full picture. But we can't outlaw their activity. I'm glad they're trying to change and fix things, but they must not become a tool for the BDS movement and those who boycott Israel. This is where they cross the line. On the other hand, Bibi can't take people who carry the burden of serving in the military and turn them into traitors just because they have criticism."

 

Have you personally encountered incitement?

 

"Two weeks ago I was at the President's Residence to mark the anniversary of my father's UN speech. Afterwards, when I opened social media, I came across some sick comments. This week, after the discussion at the Knesset, which was supposed to deal with the poverty report, the prime minister turned it into a discussion about incitement and wrote a post on his Facebook page, in which he calls on me to condemn Breaking the Silence. I suggest he reads the comments posted by his supporters against me on his Facebook page, because I dared respond and call him a demagogue."

 

What about those on your side, are they responsible for incitement?

 

"We each need to pick and choose our words. What is my side? The left? I'm not a left-wing man, I'm a man of the center. But I have to say that even if there is one type of incitement or another coming from our side, it's in low dosage. A lot lower."

 

What can be done against the incitement on social media?

 

"MK Revital Swid formed a lobby against shaming at the Knesset and beyond, and the justice system needs to turn to some of the commenters and ask them - 'why did you write this or that?' And ask them if they're aware of the fact that a keyboard can kill. But, beyond anything else, I expect leaders to show responsibility. And, of course: Education, education and education."

 

Bennett, the chairman of Bayit Yehudi: 'I won't grade Netanyahu'

 "As the minister of education, I am very concerned with the violent discourse and dedicate a lot of time to that," stresses chairman of Bayit Yehudi, Naftali Bennett. "In all of my visits to schools, and I visit a school at least once a week, I talk about values, democracy and tolerance. All leaders must make an effort to set an example: Criticizing the other's actions, but not getting dragged into personal attacks. Unfortunately, there are attacks on all sides and the kind of incitement and slander we are encountering must stop."

 

Bayit Yehudi Chairman Naftali Bennett (Photo: Motti Milrod)
Bayit Yehudi Chairman Naftali Bennett (Photo: Motti Milrod)

Some say that despite the fact 20 years have passed since Rabin's murder, the right wing hasn't learned a thing and is now inciting against the president. Is there any truth to that?

 

"I reject these assertions, because in my opinion we have learned a lot. The country has matured, and there is less polarization than there were 20 and 30 years ago. We now know how to understand and accept the other. We're at a better place, but it doesn't detract from the need to deal with the violent discourse. Any incitement, even if it comes from the right, is unacceptable to me."

 

Does this also apply to the criticism against President Rivlin?

 

"I have criticism against Rivlin. In a democratic state, criticism is a worthy thing, but it must not become incitement. The president said abroad: 'My people chose terrorism.' What was this statement all about? I criticize him for that, but Rubi is our president. The Bayit Yehudi party led the support for his election as president."

 

Have you personally encountered incitement?

 

"There was incitement against me. They called me a murderer. I stood in front of a thousand people at Haaretz's peace conference and they called me a fascist and I was even physically attacked. But that didn't shut me up, and the attack against others in my party won't either. Look, after the murder at the pride parade, I wanted to speak at an LGBT rally, and unfortunately they didn't want me. I call on people to attack the crux of the matter and not a person's body."

 

Are you worried about the things that are happening on social media?

 

"It's a very big problem. The ability to make very grave comments, and quite often exaggerated comments, has increased. Social media has a lot more advantages than disadvantages - the public can make its voice heard, and not just the leaders - but unfortunately it also comes at a price, and quite often that price is ruining someone's whole world with the stroke of a key."

 

So what can be done?

 

"First of all we, the politicians, must do better and get it into our heads that those on the other side don't want to harm Israel, and they think that what they're doing is for the good of the country. I'm convinced Herzog and Galon only want what's best for Israel, and that's why I'm willing to argue with them but not incite against them. And I, in my own little plot of land at the Education Ministry, am working against incitement. We've barred Breaking the Silence from entering schools and if a play harms IDF soldiers, it won't be shown to students."

 

Is the prime minister doing enough on this issue?

 

"I don't intend to give grades to the prime minister."

 

Minister Gamliel, Likud: 'We need to launch a government campaign'

 

"My side needs self-examination as well," admits Minister of Social Equality Gila Gamliel. "The discourse against the president from the right side of the political map is unacceptable to me. The latest move against the president has crossed the line. We must stop this, before talk becomes actions. We must condemn, in any way possible, the incitement against him and support the president and everyone else serving in state roles and are under such a vicious attack.

 

Likud MK Gila Gamliel
Likud MK Gila Gamliel

 

"I condemn incitement of any kind," she stresses. "Both the incitement against President Rivlin, and the no less serious incitement done by Breaking the Silence, which is making IDF soldiers a target on the international arena, without giving them the ability to defend themselves."

 

Is it even possible to act against the violent discourse on social media?

 

"It's possible, in three manners - education, examining the investigation into it, and checking whether the violent discourse online is considered a criminal offense, because it's important to differentiate freedom of expression and incitement. And above all, I recommend we each look at our own words, and have a less inflammatory dialogue. We don't have to agree with each other, but the smart thing to do is to allow the debate. We, as public figures, must serve as an example and change the discourse at the Knesset which is violent, and projects outwards to the public. We must show zero tolerance to verbal and physical violence."

 

Can a government campaign help pour oil on troubled waters?

 

"Such a campaign can certainly help, and I will propose to Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein to add this campaign on changing the discourse and putting an end to violence and incitement to a campaign that was recently launched to change the Knesset's image."

 

Odeh, the chairman of the Joint Arab List: 'Nurture the acceptance of the other'

 

"It's important to understand that the current situation is a result of campaigns of incitement and demonization against the Arab public, which are now spreading in every direction," claims the head of the Joint Arab List, MK Ayman Odeh. "Unfortunately, at the head of this incitement is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Every voice of criticism in the democratic sphere is being silenced. Human rights organizations have turned into enemies as part of the campaign to de-legitimize listening to the other, and to turn 'human rights' into an offensive concept. I suggest the leaders wake up and realize that when they are silent in the face of incitement against the Arab public, this incitement will reach them as well."

 

Have you personally encountered incitement?

 

"When the prime minister stands on the Knesset's podium, looks at the Arab MKs, and says that we, the members of Knesset, are waving the ISIS flag at rallies, is there something more inciting than this?"

 

And is your public innocent of incitement?

 

"I am afraid I must give you the obvious answer - we seek peace, democracy, social justice and Jewish-Arab partnership. Therefore, we are the victims of incitement, not its generators."

 

What about the northern branch of the Islamic Movement, which has been outlawed this year?

 

"If anyone has anything against any of the members of the Islamic Movement, they should prosecute them rather than using a law from 1945 to outlaw the entire movement, including 17 NGOs aiding the needy."

 

What is your opinion about Breaking the Silence?

 

"I encourage them to keep bringing the truth to light. Only we, the Arab citizens of Israel, can see both sides and what Breaking the Silence is coming out with is no surprise to us, because we are also exposed to Palestinian media and hear the same things there as well."

 

What can be done to stop incitement on social media, and in general?

 

"Use the justice system and encourage democracy. We have to nurture the acceptance of the other in the education system, and emphasize that we too can be the other. In any manner we can think of."

 

Lapid, the chairman of Yesh Atid: 'I have erred in my tone against Haredim'

 

"I strongly condemn the incitement against the president, and Prime Minister Netanyahu should have been the first to decisively condemn it," says the chairman of Yesh Atid, MK Yair Lapid. "Over a year ago I came out against Breaking the Silence, but against its Siamese twin, if you will. Both this and that are the same. Eventually we've been dragged into a debate that doesn't deal with substance, with what really happened: The Intifada of Knives, Hamas, the crisis with the international community."

 

Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid (Photo: Gil Yohanan) (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

 

What do you mean?

 

"The government is dragging us into a smear war, because it's convenient to them. The incitement is distracting us from a real discussion of real problems, those that society is really burdened with. It's dragging us into a war in which we are all required to prove who is the most patriotic of all. Is it a coincidence that the campaign against the left-wing 'Implants' and the bill proposal against them appeared on the same day?"

 

Have you personally encountered incitement?

 

"Photos of me in SS uniform were posted online two years ago. And a year ago my wife woke up in the morning to find a coffin with my name on it waiting for her outside the front door. But I don't care about the scars on my back. Because, once again, instead of dealing with the essence of things, we turn to hatred. There are enough people in Israel who use hatred as their regular source of distraction."

 

And has your side never exaggerated in its discourse?

 

"A center party like ours, by its definition, does not deal with attacks of this kind. But, yes, I have sinned in the tones I used against the Orthodox Jews, and the things I said should not have been said in the tones I used. I explained this to them and told them, in a series of meetings, let's recalculate - not the topics, the tones. Because, in the end, human society is not measured by its agreements, but by its ability to have an argument."

 

Is there something that can be done against incitement on social media?

 

"We must examine the legislation and keep things in proportion. But it'll be very hard to act, so long as (this incitement) is being directed from higher up. Those who need to act against it are not doing it, and only further inflame the discourse."

 

And how can the law be used against incitement?

 

"Just start suing. Drag people to court over the law against incitement. As soon as three or four commenters are made to pay a NIS 100,000 fine, this will end."

 

Kahlon, the chairman of Kulanu: 'Understanding is better than legislation'

 

"Unfortunately, it doesn't just end in incitement against the president or against IDF soldiers - it reaches every area of life, including the economic, social and personal fields," says Kulanu Chairman and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon. "Today, if someone does something someone else doesn't like, an Intifada of Incitement is immediately launched against him. And today's inciter can find himself the victim of incitement tomorrow. Our enemies are also being incited, and we have to suffer from knives and terror attacks."

 

Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

 

Have you personally encountered incitement?

 

"I've encountered serious criticism, including those who said I was not fit to be finance minister. But that is criticism, and I get hit with criticism and deal with it. I haven't been accused of ruining the State of Israel or harming state security, which to me is what dangerous incitement all about."

 

President Rivlin did face such accusations.

 

"A criminal act. Rivlin is a personal friend, he does holy work, and he is a true Zionist. I'm glad that the media, along with the public's representatives, immediately condemned the inciters. I condemn any kind of incitement from every direction and every side of the political map."

 

Is the prime minister doing enough on this issue?

 

"He cannot be blamed for the incitement against Rivlin. He also told me he has not said a single bad thing about the president since he was elected."

 

And what do you think about the attack against the activists of Breaking the Silence, and the 'Implants campaign'?

 

"Against them we should also have criticism rather than incitement. If they did something that was against the law, and with that harmed state security, they should be outlawed. If they committed offenses, they should be charged. There is no place for such out-of-control incitement. This kind of incitement is akin to taking law into your own hands."

 

So what can be done?

 

"If people don't come to their senses and stop, mostly on social media, it'll reach the point of harsh legislation. I'd rather things be solved with understanding and education, with respect for others, with tolerance as required in the Jewish religion. Because to me, the worst kind of understanding is better than the best kind of legislation. If you believe making an example of people will be beneficial, we must find three or four online inciters and prosecute them, so people will see this and beware."

 

Deri, the chairman of Shas: 'There's no incitement on our side'

 

"As someone who had a stun grenade thrown at him, and a pig was put outside his door, just because we were in a coalition with Shulamit Aloni, I know the dangers of incitement well," says the chairman of Shas and the Minister of the Development of the Negev and Galilee Aryeh Deri. "I saw the daily incitement against Rabin and the effects of that. Even I don't agree with everything Reuven Rivlin does or says, but between that and speaking against him or the presidency there's a huge distance. I thought we would learn the lesson after Rabin's murder, and unfortunately I was proven wrong."

 

Economy Minister Aryeh Deri (Photo: Olivier Fittousi)
Economy Minister Aryeh Deri (Photo: Olivier Fittousi)

 

Is what Breaking the Silence doing considered incitement?

 

"I met with a group of officers in reserves this week, company and battalion commanders, who carry the military on their shoulders. I heard the pain in their voices about what Breaking the Silence is doing to them. They consider it incitement, and they're afraid to go abroad. Breaking the Silence has crossed all lines."

 

Have you personally encountered incitement?

 

"Just recently, radical right wingers posted a photo of me in SS uniform online. I saw my mother's anxiety in light of this post. I really don't understand why people stoop to these levels."

 

And is your side innocent of incitement?

 

"Our side has dialogue, but not incitement."

 

And what's the solution?

 

"I'm not a supporter of legislation. I don't think legislation can prevent violent discourse. Only education and emphasizing the respect between one and the other can. All of us, including the prime minister, must do whatever we can to stop the incitement. I'm convinced Netanyahu is not happy with what's happening to the president, because today it's the president and tomorrow it'll be him. As soon as it becomes legitimate to attack one, it'll become legitimate to attack another as well."

 

Litzman, the chairman of United Torah Judaism: 'Why go complain to the Gentiles of all people?'

 

"Incitement is forbidden. Period," MK and Health Minister Yaakov Litzman says. "Even if I don't agree with what our president said in the US, I do still consider him a dear Jew, and I protest what is being done to him. I'm also coming out against Breaking the Silence, and protest their incitement against IDF soldiers. No one understands incitement better than us, the Orthodox Jews, and I am against it entirely."

 

Health Minister Yaakov Litzman (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
Health Minister Yaakov Litzman (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

 

Have you personally encountered incitement?

 

"Undoubtedly, and a lot of it. There's incitement against us, the Orthodox Jews, in every election campaign. It's a phenomenon that constantly repeats itself. One time it's Lapid and the next it's someone else, each in their own way."

 

Is your public part of the incitement?

 

"I don't know. I read the Hamodia newspaper every day, and don't see incitement against anyone there."

 

And what about what's being done to Breaking the Silence?

 

"To them I say that there's a way to do things. If I have criticism, I don't go to the media. If there are complaints, there's a state comptroller, there's the police, there's an attorney general - and we can use them. We don't have to slander our soldiers abroad. After all, when illegal things were done and there was evidence, soldiers were prosecuted. Even though they have this appropriate avenue, they took their findings and brought it to whom? To the Gentiles abroad. I find this terrible."

 

What can be done against the incitement on social media?

 

"I don't have social media and don't know what that is. I heard about it in the media. We know that the best way to handle a problem like this is through education. But if that doesn't help in bringing people to see the right way, and if legislation against this is brought up by the coalition, I'll support it."

 

Galon, the chairman of Meretz: '20 years have passed, and what has changed?'

 

"I condemn any kind of incitement. But I also think that as long as incitement comes from, and is backed by, the institution, it's meaningless to talk about what can be done and how the situation can be changed," says Meretz chairwoman Zehava Galon. "When I asked the prime minister and the head of the opposition to condemn the incitement against the president, Bibi brought Breaking the Silence into the conversation like any common online commenter. And I'm astounded by it, because the prime minister has already been in this situation. He already stood on the balcony at Zion Square 20 years ago and it appears he has learned nothing. As a prime minister, he cannot afford to remain silent, or to offer a weak condemnation, as he has done against what was done to the president."

 

 

And is Breaking the Silence and the left wing not inciting against IDF soldiers?

 

"I don't think so. The left wing criticizes the government's policy, sometimes politely and sometimes not. Breaking the Silence is doing exactly what the Yesha Council has been doing. Why isn’t the Yesha Council going abroad and presenting the picture they want to present? They should stop whining. The people of Breaking the Silence are good enough to fight and be killed for Israel, but when they bring up testimony - this is what gives the world weapons against us? Not the occupation that has been going on for nearly 50 years? There's a campaign to silence a group of patriots who are delivering testimony and publishing only what the censor allows them."

 

So what should be done?

 

"First of all, the government needs to come to its senses. Then, criticism against the government needs to be allowed. Not attacks on and persecution of civic organizations, and not the use of the majority and the coalition's power to shut mouths, and if they do that, they need to go - because otherwise the younger generation will go instead. And the most important thing is having education to democracy and the acceptance of the other - no matter what kind of other, what the other's religion is, or what opinions the other has."

 

The Prime Minister's Office said in response against the claims against him from the party leaders: "Nonsense that is unworthy of response."

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.19.15, 23:42
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