New Media in Israel

This issue of the Newsletter covers the period 28 February-4 March 2018. Israeli social media networks were preoccupied with several issues. In the first place, Israeli social media activists were taken up by the ongoing investigations into corruption charges with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sarah.

Investigations have continued to absorb Israeli social media platforms to so great an extent that prevailed over any other issue. Last Friday, Netanyahu was attended an additional investigation session, which lasted for several hours.

This week, leader of the Meretz party Zehava Gal-On announced her retirement from politics and withdrew her candidacy for the party's leadership. Following Gal-On’s announcement, Chairman of the Meretz parliamentary bloc Ilan Gilon announced he would drop out of the Meretz leadership race due to a medical issue. According to estimates, MK Tamar Zandberg has a better chance of winning the party’s leadership.

Resignations within the Meretz party absorbed Israeli social media activists, who either supported or opposed this step. Additionally, social media networks highlighted the declining power of Gal-On.

Caused by the Conscription Law, the government coalition crisis also preoccupied Israeli social platforms this week. Notwithstanding the difference in positions towards the 2019 Budget Law, the Conscription Law and imposition of compulsory military service on the Haredi Jews has entrenched disputes among parties. The conflict can lead to early Knesset elections.

Clearly, the conflict over the Conscription Law has created a severe crisis between partners in the government coalition, potentially leading to early Knesset elections. According to estimates within the government coalition, the Knesset elections are likely to be held in June 2018 if the crisis caused by the law on the conscription of the Haredi Jews is not overcome and contained.

Israel has recently announced that 15-year-old Mohammed al-Tamimi sustained critical injuries to the skill after he had fallen off a bicycle, not because of a rubber coated steel bullet. The announcement has enraged Al-Tamimi’s family as well as human rights activists across social media networks. Extremist groups have also escalated incitement against the child Al-Tamimi in particular, and Al-Tamimi family in general.