MK Tibi condemns racist rhetoric following deaths of two Arabs killed by Hezbollah rocket

Tibi asserted that "open incitement to murder is permitted in Israel when the victims are Arab citizens."

 National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir argues with MK Ahmad Tibi during a Home committee meeting at the Knesset. October 15, 2024. (photo credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir argues with MK Ahmad Tibi during a Home committee meeting at the Knesset. October 15, 2024.
(photo credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

MK Ahmad Tibi demanded the attorney-general open an investigation into incitement to murder and racism following hundreds of online comments celebrating the direct hit by a Hezbollah rocket on the northern Arab town of Majd al-Krum, which killed two Arab-Israelis on Sunday, according to a letter sent by the attorney-general. 

On Friday, Arjun Mana'a from Majd al-Krum and Hassan Su'ad from Ba'ana were killed by direct hits from rockets launched by Hezbollah on Lebanon. Several posts reportedly emerged celebrating their deaths and making jokes at the deceased's expense, the letter claimed.

One user wrote "Come on, who wants baklava? Come over, I'm waiting for you!" Another "Two is nothing; too bad there weren't more."

 MDA paramedics arrive at the scene where one man was killed by a Hezbollah rocket. (credit: MAGEN DAVID ADOM)
MDA paramedics arrive at the scene where one man was killed by a Hezbollah rocket. (credit: MAGEN DAVID ADOM)

'Jews feel free to incite murder without fear of arrest'

In the letter, Tibi said that Israel oppressed its Arab citizens in two ways: "first by providing inadequate physical protection and second by allowing celebrations over their deaths. Open incitement to murder is permitted in Israel when the victims are Arab citizens."

Arabs have been arrested in droves, handcuffed and blindfolded, while many Jews feel free to incite murder without fear of arrest or investigation," Tibi stated in the letter. "The Israeli police seem focused on politically targeting the Arab community in an attempt to appease the racist minister."