6 june 2020
Protesters hold signs with images of George Floyd and autistic Palestinian man shot by police in Jerusalem
Police say at least 5 protesters were arrested after they attempted to start a march along the main street near the Rabin Square, where the rally took place; organizers screen video address by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders
Several thousand Israelis demonstrated on Saturday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to extend sovereignty over parts of the West Bank, de-facto annexation of land that the Palestinians seek for a state.
At least five protesters were arrested after they attempted to march down the main street off the Rabin Square, where the rally took place.
Protesting in face masks and keeping their distance from each other under coronavirus restrictions, they gathered under the banner "No to annexation, no to occupation, yes to peace and democracy". Some waved Palestinian flags.
The protest was organized by left-wing groups and did not appear to be the start of a popular mass movement. Around half of Israelis support annexation, according to a recent opinion poll.
The organizers screened a video address by U.S. Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders.
"It has never been more important to stand up for justice, and to fight for the future we all deserve," Sanders said. "It's up to all of us to stand up to authoritarian leaders and to build a peaceful future for every Palestinian and every Israeli."
The Palestinians want an independent state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, territories Israel captured in a 1967 Middle East war.
Netanyahu has set July 1 as the date to begin advancing his plan to annex Israel's settlements and the Jordan Valley in the West Bank, hoping for a green light from Washington.
U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a peace plan that includes Israel keeping its settlements and the Palestinians establishing a state under stringent conditions.
Palestinians have rejected the proposal and voiced outrage against Israel's proposed annexation.
Warning of possible violence and diplomatic repercussions, some European and Arab states, together with the United Nations, have urged Israel not to annex its settlements, regarded by many countries as illegal.
Police say at least 5 protesters were arrested after they attempted to start a march along the main street near the Rabin Square, where the rally took place; organizers screen video address by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders
Several thousand Israelis demonstrated on Saturday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to extend sovereignty over parts of the West Bank, de-facto annexation of land that the Palestinians seek for a state.
At least five protesters were arrested after they attempted to march down the main street off the Rabin Square, where the rally took place.
Protesting in face masks and keeping their distance from each other under coronavirus restrictions, they gathered under the banner "No to annexation, no to occupation, yes to peace and democracy". Some waved Palestinian flags.
The protest was organized by left-wing groups and did not appear to be the start of a popular mass movement. Around half of Israelis support annexation, according to a recent opinion poll.
The organizers screened a video address by U.S. Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders.
"It has never been more important to stand up for justice, and to fight for the future we all deserve," Sanders said. "It's up to all of us to stand up to authoritarian leaders and to build a peaceful future for every Palestinian and every Israeli."
The Palestinians want an independent state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, territories Israel captured in a 1967 Middle East war.
Netanyahu has set July 1 as the date to begin advancing his plan to annex Israel's settlements and the Jordan Valley in the West Bank, hoping for a green light from Washington.
U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a peace plan that includes Israel keeping its settlements and the Palestinians establishing a state under stringent conditions.
Palestinians have rejected the proposal and voiced outrage against Israel's proposed annexation.
Warning of possible violence and diplomatic repercussions, some European and Arab states, together with the United Nations, have urged Israel not to annex its settlements, regarded by many countries as illegal.
2 june 2020
21-year-old from northern Israel accused of publishing Facebook post calling for PM to be taken down, officers who 'are his slaves' to be killed; third time in two months prime minister has filed complaint over threats
Police on Tuesday arrested a 21-year-old soldier from northern Israel on suspicion of publishing a Facebook post calling to harm Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the third case of alleged incitement against the premier in less than two months.
The Israel Police cyber crimes division opened an investigation into the matter and the suspect was due to appear at Rishon Lezion Magistrates' Court for a remand hearing.
The suspect, who is a resident of a kibbutz in the western Galilee, wrote on Facebook: "There is a solution and it is bringing down Bibi [Netanyahu]. It already happened in the past that a prime minister was taken down for no just reason [an alleged reference to the murder of Yitzhak Rabin], and now we have a prime minister who is taking down his citizens. It is likely to happen again and rightfully so, and those cops who are his slaves also deserve to be stoned to death. That is the solution."
The soldier also shared other allegedly inciteful material on his Facebook page, among them posts calling for the prime minister and the police to be "burned."
He also shared conspiratorial material on Facebook, including a claim that people were having microchips implanted. Several of his posts have been removed from Facebook.
The arrest came a day after Netanyahu said he had filed a complaint with the police regarding a death threat made against him and his family.
In a post in Hebrew on his Facebook page, Netanyahu said the man threatening him and his family had described how he would carry out his scheme.
The prime minister included a screenshot of a comment that read: "We would march them to Zion Square [in Jerusalem] and chop off their heads then hang their headless bodies from the balcony."
In his first complaint, Netanyahu accused left-wing activist Haim Shadmi of threatening his eldest son, Yair.
Shadmi was seen in a clip posted on social media telling Yair Netanyahu: "One day you will no longer have a personal security detail." In another clip, he was heard advocating hurling a firebomb at the prime minister's residence.
Shadmi and two other activists were grilled by police following the incident but later released without charge.
After the complaint was made, Shadmi posted on social media that he had never intended to use any sort of violence nor would he ever advocate violence against anyone, "even against someone I find so despicable and who is destroying Israeli democracy."
Police on Tuesday arrested a 21-year-old soldier from northern Israel on suspicion of publishing a Facebook post calling to harm Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the third case of alleged incitement against the premier in less than two months.
The Israel Police cyber crimes division opened an investigation into the matter and the suspect was due to appear at Rishon Lezion Magistrates' Court for a remand hearing.
The suspect, who is a resident of a kibbutz in the western Galilee, wrote on Facebook: "There is a solution and it is bringing down Bibi [Netanyahu]. It already happened in the past that a prime minister was taken down for no just reason [an alleged reference to the murder of Yitzhak Rabin], and now we have a prime minister who is taking down his citizens. It is likely to happen again and rightfully so, and those cops who are his slaves also deserve to be stoned to death. That is the solution."
The soldier also shared other allegedly inciteful material on his Facebook page, among them posts calling for the prime minister and the police to be "burned."
He also shared conspiratorial material on Facebook, including a claim that people were having microchips implanted. Several of his posts have been removed from Facebook.
The arrest came a day after Netanyahu said he had filed a complaint with the police regarding a death threat made against him and his family.
In a post in Hebrew on his Facebook page, Netanyahu said the man threatening him and his family had described how he would carry out his scheme.
The prime minister included a screenshot of a comment that read: "We would march them to Zion Square [in Jerusalem] and chop off their heads then hang their headless bodies from the balcony."
In his first complaint, Netanyahu accused left-wing activist Haim Shadmi of threatening his eldest son, Yair.
Shadmi was seen in a clip posted on social media telling Yair Netanyahu: "One day you will no longer have a personal security detail." In another clip, he was heard advocating hurling a firebomb at the prime minister's residence.
Shadmi and two other activists were grilled by police following the incident but later released without charge.
After the complaint was made, Shadmi posted on social media that he had never intended to use any sort of violence nor would he ever advocate violence against anyone, "even against someone I find so despicable and who is destroying Israeli democracy."
1 june 2020
Tel Aviv police department says it uncovered sex work network in central Israel operating under the guise of providing massage services, main suspect is former athletic champion who represented Israel in international competitions
Tel Aviv police department said Monday it has uncovered a human trafficking network and prostitution ring operating in discreet apartments under the guise of providing massage services.
The head of the of the network is believed to be a 50-year-old woman from Ramat Gan, who is a former Israeli athletic champion who represented the country in international competitions. The woman was arrested Sunday along with her former partner and a number of other suspects.
According to the police, an undercover investigation conducted in association with the Tax Authority and National Insurance Institute found that for several years the suspects operated a sophisticated network in the central cities of Givatayim, Ramat Gan, Petah Tikva and Ra'anana.
The network’s victims were often recruited through advertising on Russian-language websites in Israel and abroad, under the headlines "Masseuses needed - high wages."
The investigation also found that the network often advertised its "services" on sex and massage portals found on various websites.
The method of luring in victims is believed to have been orchestrated by the former athlete, who is suspected of heading the entire network together with her former partner, a 51-year-old Ramat Gan resident.
Six other suspects were detained in the raid, on suspicion of taking in the network’s operations, with each allegedly having a defined role and responsibilities.
Those involved in the network are also under investigation for alleged money laundering offenses running to millions of shekels and other tax offenses.
Because the network allegedly continued its operations during the coronavirus pandemic, the suspects are also accused of violating public health orders.
The attorney for the main suspect, Orit Hayon, said: "In an initial conversation with [the suspect], she denied any connection [to trafficking or sex workers] and claimed that she was only dealing in massages."
Following the arrests, Ayelet Dayan, the associate director of the Task Force on Human Trafficking and Prostitution in Israel, praised the arrests on Sunday, but called on the government to do more to crack down on human trafficking.
“The successful police action tonight proves what we have consistently claimed: Trafficking in women in Israel is alive and well. The State of Israel is not doing enough to stop the phenomenon," she said.
"In January 2019, the government decided to devise a multi-year plan to combat human trafficking,” said Dayan, “but to date, the government's decision has been neither budgeted nor implemented.”
Regarding the newly uncovered network Dayan said: “ The state must recognize all women trafficked and exploited as sex workers as victims of human trafficking and ensure that they receive all the rights they deserve.
"The Task Force on Human Trafficking and Prostitution calls on police and prosecutors to bring the network operators to justice, not settle for charges of traveling abroad for the purposes of prostitution, but file serious charges of trafficking in human beings."
Tel Aviv police department said Monday it has uncovered a human trafficking network and prostitution ring operating in discreet apartments under the guise of providing massage services.
The head of the of the network is believed to be a 50-year-old woman from Ramat Gan, who is a former Israeli athletic champion who represented the country in international competitions. The woman was arrested Sunday along with her former partner and a number of other suspects.
According to the police, an undercover investigation conducted in association with the Tax Authority and National Insurance Institute found that for several years the suspects operated a sophisticated network in the central cities of Givatayim, Ramat Gan, Petah Tikva and Ra'anana.
The network’s victims were often recruited through advertising on Russian-language websites in Israel and abroad, under the headlines "Masseuses needed - high wages."
The investigation also found that the network often advertised its "services" on sex and massage portals found on various websites.
The method of luring in victims is believed to have been orchestrated by the former athlete, who is suspected of heading the entire network together with her former partner, a 51-year-old Ramat Gan resident.
Six other suspects were detained in the raid, on suspicion of taking in the network’s operations, with each allegedly having a defined role and responsibilities.
Those involved in the network are also under investigation for alleged money laundering offenses running to millions of shekels and other tax offenses.
Because the network allegedly continued its operations during the coronavirus pandemic, the suspects are also accused of violating public health orders.
The attorney for the main suspect, Orit Hayon, said: "In an initial conversation with [the suspect], she denied any connection [to trafficking or sex workers] and claimed that she was only dealing in massages."
Following the arrests, Ayelet Dayan, the associate director of the Task Force on Human Trafficking and Prostitution in Israel, praised the arrests on Sunday, but called on the government to do more to crack down on human trafficking.
“The successful police action tonight proves what we have consistently claimed: Trafficking in women in Israel is alive and well. The State of Israel is not doing enough to stop the phenomenon," she said.
"In January 2019, the government decided to devise a multi-year plan to combat human trafficking,” said Dayan, “but to date, the government's decision has been neither budgeted nor implemented.”
Regarding the newly uncovered network Dayan said: “ The state must recognize all women trafficked and exploited as sex workers as victims of human trafficking and ensure that they receive all the rights they deserve.
"The Task Force on Human Trafficking and Prostitution calls on police and prosecutors to bring the network operators to justice, not settle for charges of traveling abroad for the purposes of prostitution, but file serious charges of trafficking in human beings."
L-R: Benjamin, Avner, Sara and Yair Netanyahu
In Facebook post, Netanyahu displays image of message threatening to behead all four family members, calls on 'left-wing media, which never stops trying to remove me from office, [to] defend me against constant incitement'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he has filed a complaint with the police regarding a death threat was made against him and his family.
This is the second time the prime minister has filed such a complaint in the space of one month.
In a post in Hebrew on his Facebook page on Monday, Netanyahu said the man threatening him and his family had described how he would carry out his scheme.
The prime minister included a screenshot of a comment that read: "We would march them to Zion Square [in Jerusalem] and chop off their heads then hang their headless bodies from the balcony."
This is an apparent reference to Netanyahu's location on a balcony during a right-wing protest in the run-up to the 1995 murder of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, from where Netanyahu said he did not hear or see any incitement to murder the slain leader.
"When will the left-wing media, which never stops trying to remove me from office, finally defend me against the constant incitement directed at me and my family," Netanyahu wrote on Facebook on Monday.
In his previous complaint, Netanyahu singled out left-wing activist Haim Shadmi, for allegedly threatening the prime minister's eldest son, Yair.
Shadmi was seen in a clip posted on social media telling Yair Netanyahu: "One day you will no longer have a personal security detail." In another clip, he was heard advocating hurling a firebomb at the prime minister's residence.
Shadmi and two other activists were grilled by police following the incident but later released without charge.
After the complaint was made, Shadmi posted on social media that he had never intended to use any sort of violence nor would he ever advocate violence against anyone - "even against someone I find so despicable and who is destroying Israeli democracy."
In Facebook post, Netanyahu displays image of message threatening to behead all four family members, calls on 'left-wing media, which never stops trying to remove me from office, [to] defend me against constant incitement'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he has filed a complaint with the police regarding a death threat was made against him and his family.
This is the second time the prime minister has filed such a complaint in the space of one month.
In a post in Hebrew on his Facebook page on Monday, Netanyahu said the man threatening him and his family had described how he would carry out his scheme.
The prime minister included a screenshot of a comment that read: "We would march them to Zion Square [in Jerusalem] and chop off their heads then hang their headless bodies from the balcony."
This is an apparent reference to Netanyahu's location on a balcony during a right-wing protest in the run-up to the 1995 murder of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, from where Netanyahu said he did not hear or see any incitement to murder the slain leader.
"When will the left-wing media, which never stops trying to remove me from office, finally defend me against the constant incitement directed at me and my family," Netanyahu wrote on Facebook on Monday.
In his previous complaint, Netanyahu singled out left-wing activist Haim Shadmi, for allegedly threatening the prime minister's eldest son, Yair.
Shadmi was seen in a clip posted on social media telling Yair Netanyahu: "One day you will no longer have a personal security detail." In another clip, he was heard advocating hurling a firebomb at the prime minister's residence.
Shadmi and two other activists were grilled by police following the incident but later released without charge.
After the complaint was made, Shadmi posted on social media that he had never intended to use any sort of violence nor would he ever advocate violence against anyone - "even against someone I find so despicable and who is destroying Israeli democracy."
31 may 2020
Israeli authorities on Sunday released two police officers from jail one day after they killed a Palestinian young man with special needs in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Eyad al-Hallaq, a 32-year-old Palestinian with special needs, was shot to death by Israeli police officers near al-Asbat Gate in Jerusalem.
The police officers claimed al-Hallaq appeared to be carrying a gun but it turned out he was unarmed and did not understand the officers’ orders to stop.
According to eyewitnesses, al-Hallaq was shot at least six times.
The Palestinian Authority and many human rights organizations have condemned al-Hallaq’s murder and called for international probes into Israeli crimes against the Palestinians, especially extrajudicial killings.
Eyad al-Hallaq, a 32-year-old Palestinian with special needs, was shot to death by Israeli police officers near al-Asbat Gate in Jerusalem.
The police officers claimed al-Hallaq appeared to be carrying a gun but it turned out he was unarmed and did not understand the officers’ orders to stop.
According to eyewitnesses, al-Hallaq was shot at least six times.
The Palestinian Authority and many human rights organizations have condemned al-Hallaq’s murder and called for international probes into Israeli crimes against the Palestinians, especially extrajudicial killings.
