In recent days, the State Attorney's Office authorized the Israel Police to open an investigation into dozens of cases of publication of statements of support and praise for Hamas terrorist acts by Israeli residents, and instructed them to locate the advertisers and ask the courts to detain them until the end of the proceedings, in appropriate cases.
Posted a live praising the actions of terrorists near the Gaza Strip and was arrested // Social networks
So far, the Israeli police have interrogated nearly 100 suspects, and some of them have already been brought in for remand extensions. The State Prosecutor's Office's position is that zero tolerance should be shown towards those who publish – explicitly and even implicitly – expressions of support for the enemy and its criminal deeds towards citizens of the state who were murdered, tortured and humiliated, as well as expressions of support for harming IDF soldiers, while IDF soldiers and members of the security forces who protect all citizens of the country are fighting the murderous enemy.
Therefore, the State Attorney instructed that, as a rule, an investigation should be opened, arrested, and prosecuted all those who publish words of praise and support for the atrocities, even if it is a single publication, insofar as it is serious and directly pertains to the current period.
Smoke billows from Israeli shelling in Gaza, Photo: AP
At the same time, against the background of the State of Israel's being at war and in times of emergency, and in light of the need for a quick response, State Prosecutor Amit Isman and Deputy State Prosecutor for Special Duties Alon Altman decided to exceptionally authorize the police to open an investigation without prior approval from the State Prosecutor's Office, in clear cases of expressions of support for terrorist organizations and the murderous acts of terror committed by their members.
Any request from the security agencies regarding publications of praise and sympathy from Israelis is handled immediately by an array of attorneys, who are in direct contact with the police agencies dealing with the issue, while shortening the processing times.
Hamas terrorists on their way to Israel, photo: AFP
Among the cases in which an investigation was approved: an aide at a kindergarten in Sharon who published a post in support of Hamas, in which she wrote, among other things: "There is nothing more beautiful than waking up to the news about the victories of the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip. Oh God, give victory to your servants in Gaza."
In another case, an East Jerusalem resident published a number of posts in support and praise of Hamas, including: "God made it a day of occupation, victory, domination and governance – a morning of imminent liberation";
A Red Crescent employee who published a post in which he wrote, among other things: "7/10 is the date we will not forget as long as we are alive (green heart emoji, known to be affiliated with the Hamas movement)."
Terrorists from the Hamas terrorist organization, photo: Majdi Fathi/TPS
In another case, a preacher at a mosque in Shu'fat said, by means of a public announcement, a permit: "The heroic residents of the village. Look at your families in Gaza City, where the lions came in droves for your victory at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The lions who came to defend the Al-Aqsa Mosque call on all the sons of this camp, get up and get out."
An East Jerusalem resident who posted a number of posts on Facebook, including "Palestinian Today is a day of pride," "Today your missiles, and tomorrow you (Green Heart) are our promise we kept."
A sermon by an imam from Tyre in another that garnered many views, in which he said, among other things: "The patient fighters in the holy war (mujahideen) are fighting in the holy war and are fighting in the field with determination. What are you waiting for? Tell us, God willing, what will make you follow the path of fighting in the holy war (jihad) and in the way of Allah, please let us know when we will see your army in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Will you remain in your homes in humiliation?"
The ruins in Kibbutz Be'eri after the massacre, photo: AFP
In addition, investigations were approved for the publication of videos of the harsh and cruel acts perpetrated against soldiers and civilians in the south, accompanied by expressions of support for the acts. For example, an investigation was approved for a video showing IDF soldiers dancing and rejoicing, and later showing dead soldiers and a terrorist walking among the bodies with weapons, while a song in Arabic is heard in the background: "Your glory has returned with humiliation and defeats, that the south rose to resist, the history of abuse does not sleep, will be recorded on our lands the land of the epics."
The State Attorney's Office will act resolutely against any manifestation of support for acts of terrorism or incitement to acts of terrorism and violence. The State Prosecutor's Office instructed several heads of institutions of higher education who contacted it following cases of students who published praise for terrorism to transfer the details to the Israel Police, so that their case would be dealt with as soon as possible on the criminal level, beyond the disciplinary level handled by the educational institution. At this time, the case of a number of Israeli students who allegedly published words of praise and support for Hamas is being examined.
IDF forces in Bari, photo: IDF Spokesperson
In this regard, the Supreme Court wrote last week regarding the measures that the state is obligated to take to protect its residents, when it rejected a petition filed by the family of a Hamas terrorist to cancel the demolition and confiscation order issued against his home: "As these lines are written, the State of Israel is engaged in a difficult and bloody battle against the murderous terrorist organization on whose mission the attack in our case was carried out, after it committed criminal and despicable acts that the mind does not tolerate. In thousands of people, including the elderly, women and children."
"In this difficult and complex security reality, a state that desires life is entitled, and even obligated, to take measures, even if difficult, to protect the safety and security of its citizens and residents."
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