A document reportedly prepared by Israel’s Attorney General’s office has brought to light potential plans to criminalize the use of the Arabic word for martyr, “shaheed,” in social media posts, as well as certain Quranic verses used in specific contexts, as reported by Israeli news site Ynet on Tuesday.
The revelation of this document occurred during clandestine discussions within the Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
According to Ynet, Simcha Rothman, the committee’s chairman, criticized public prosecutors for what he perceived as leniency in addressing individuals who shared “inciting” social media content following the commencement of the Gaza war.
Rothman cited examples of posts containing religious prayers, appeals to God, and the usage of the term “shaheed.”
In response, Deputy State Attorney Alon Altman disclosed the existence of an existing policy governing such posts, with prosecution contingent upon the context. This policy guidance is detailed in the document, providing directives for prosecuting individuals accused of incitement.
The document outlines that referring to someone killed by Israeli forces as a martyr while allegedly “carrying out a terrorist attack” may be construed as endorsing or praising the terrorist act.
Additionally, the policy specifies that individuals posting supplications to God linked to persons or events associated with a “terrorist act” may face investigation.
In cases of ambiguity, investigations may be initiated based on “reasonable suspicion.”
However, Altman clarified that the mere presence of religious texts does not inherently constitute criminality, according to Ynet.
Since the onset of the Israeli war on Gaza, Palestinian citizens of Israel have reported facing repressive measures from authorities, including arrests for social media posts, prohibitions on peaceful anti-war demonstrations, and dismissals from employment and educational institutions due to their perspectives on the conflict.
According to rights group Adalah, which advocates for Palestinian rights in Israel, hundreds of individuals have been detained in connection with their social media activities since the conflict’s initiation.
Notably, Palestinian folk singer Dalal Abu Amneh was arrested in mid-October following two social media posts containing links to charities aiding Gaza and captions invoking divine mercy. She was subsequently released.
Palestinian citizens of Israel, descendants of Palestine’s indigenous population, comprise nearly 20 percent of the country’s total population. They have long endured discriminatory laws and practices imposed by the Israeli state, citing systemic inequality as a persistent challenge.
