This issue covers the period 22-25 October 2017. Israeli social media networks were preoccupied with several topics after the Israeli parliament (Knesset) began its winter session.
Israeli social media networks reacted broadly to the “pickles” speech delivered by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the opening of the Knesset winter session. In his speech, Netanyahu sharply attacked the opposition and media. Israeli social media platforms were also occupied with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin’s speech, in which he attacked the Prime Minister’s approach and policies. As Rivlin put it, these would inevitably lead to “dividing the Jewish people”.
Israeli social media networks also reacted to the suspension of an army brigadier general for 14 days after the Military Police uncovered that he had stolen and hidden combat materials in his house. This reaction was particularly noted after the brigadier general’s identity was revealed. He was Mordechai Kahane, a relative of Rabbi Meir Kahane, founder of Kach a movement that was outlawed for its hostility to Arabs in general, and Palestinians in particular.
In addition, Israeli social media networks interacted widely with the dispute between the Minister of Defence Avigdor Liebermann and the military command. Liebermann claimed that Hezbollah was responsible for opening fire towards the occupied Golan Heights on Saturday. Based on the instructions of Syrian President Bashar Asad, Hezbollah did so in order to involve Israel in the “Syrian swamp”. It is worth noting that the army denied these statements, indicating that fire was opened by mistake in the context of the infighting in Syria. Consequently, Israeli social media networks wondered how aware the Minister of Defence was of what was going on and how informed he was of relevant details.
Finally, Israeli social media networks were also greatly preoccupied with the French Bill, which prevents an investigation from being opened against a prime minister as long as he is in office.
Social media activists cited legal experts, who stated that the French Bill so called in reference of the legal protection the President of France enjoys might face overwhelming opposition by Avichai Mandelblit, the Attorney General of Israel, and parties in the right wing government coalition. This opposition was also voiced by Israeli social media networks.
