By Yoni Weiss
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday condemned the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, calling the shooting “not only a heinous crime but also an attempt to assassinate American democracy.” Netanyahu expressed relief that Trump had miraculously survived and wished him a speedy recovery at the beginning of his Cabinet’s weekly meeting.
Earlier in the meeting, Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs presented a video showcasing threats and incitement against Netanyahu.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin remarked, “It is a miracle that what happened in the United States has not happened here yet. We warned that this could happen. The judiciary has abandoned the Prime Minister.”
Minister Miri Regev added, “There is a series of incitements against the Prime Minister. In a democracy, you don’t light fires on roads, you don’t display a picture of the Prime Minister with blood on his hands. We are in an impossible reality – long after it is too late.”
Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated, “The time has come to hold a hearing for those who prevent indictments, prevent enforcement, and allow incitement. Naama Lazimi was documented as inciting – a serious offense, and the Attorney General does not approve an investigation. If it were us, does anyone doubt she would have been investigated the next day?”
Minister Amichai Chikli declared, “The answer is to dismiss the Attorney General. I said this two weeks ago as well.” Netanyahu concluded the discussion with, “There is normalization of incitement here.”
Minister Bezalel Smotrich questioned, “For what did they arrest a woman who directed criticism at Mandelblit?” Ben-Gvir added, “You imprisoned a woman who sent a bullet to Bennett.”
Minister Avi Dichter, former head of the Shin Bet, argued, “The incitement today is eighty times more severe than before the assassination of Rabin, and I say this as someone who was responsible for rehabilitating the security system after Rabin’s assassination. The incitement here comes from someone who was a bodyguard of the Prime Minister, from senior Air Force officials, and a retired General.”
Minister Idit Silman declared, “This is the failure of the enforcement system.”
Minister Moshe Arbel demanded to expand the discussion to threats against city leaders as well: “Just last week, the family members of the head of the Ar’ara council in the Negev were shot at. Luckily, the protective services for the Prime Minister are good compared to threatened city leaders. Saying ‘guilty’ about a Prime Minister is not incitement. It is unpleasant, but it is not incitement. Unfortunately, there are enough inciting statements and we need to focus on them. And enforce against them.”
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