Israel uses ‘incitement’ tactic to silence Palestinians

Charge of ‘incitement to violence’ is commonly-employed tactic by Israeli security apparatus to legitimize abuse of Palestinians

09.04.2016 Aness Suheil Barghoti Palestinian Territory analysis news, middle east

JERUSALEM-By Anees Bargouthi

The accusation of incitement to violence is a commonly employed tactic by the Israeli security apparatus to legitimize the abuse of Palestinians.
According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, naming streets after Palestinian figures and resistance fighters is considered “inciting violence against Israel.”
Musicians, actors and events that celebrate Palestinian resistance and cultural achievements are also considered “incitement to violence” by Israel.
Since October, more than 200 Palestinians – including journalists – have been arrested under the pretext of incitement, according to the Palestinian Authority detainees committee.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate also said that Israeli authorities shut down five Palestinian media organizations over the past few months under the pretext of incitement.
Nasser Abu Baker, chairman of PJS, told Anadolu Agency that Israel is strategically silencing Palestinian media.
The Israeli government announced in November that it would shut down any media organization that broadcast material that incites violence. Immediately following the announcement, three Palestinian radio stations in the city of Hebron were closed.
“They shut down Dream, Al-Huriyya and Al-Khalil radio stations,” Talb al-Jabari, director general of Radio Dream, told Anadolu Agency. “They are closing the stations under the pretext that they promote violence against Israel.”
Israeli authorities consider the broadcast of Israeli agressions against the Palestinians as incitement.
On March 10, the Israeli cabinet issued an order aimed at intensifying the crackdown against Palestinian media.
Within 24 hours, the Israeli army and the Shin Bet Intelligence Agency raided the offices of Palestine Today TV, confiscating the channel’s equipment and ordering it shut down until further notice. The channel’s director was also detained.
At least 13 Palestinian journalists have been arrested in recent months, including Mohammed al-Qeeq, who went on a hunger strike for 94 days to protest his detention.
In March, Israel announced the establishment of an army unit tasked with monitoring social media. At least 150 Palestinians have been arrested for anti-Israel posts on Facebook since October.
Meanwhile, Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, who called for the slaughter of Palestinian mothers who give birth to “little snakes” on Facebook, was not charged.
Her post was shared by over 1,200 people and received more than 5,000 likes on the social media website.