Haifa Resident Charged with Incitement: Operated “Kahaneism” Account and Wrote “Meara, We Will Ensure You Die”
Charges Filed Against Yaakov Yitach
A 44-year-old resident of Haifa, Yaakov Yitach, has been charged with incitement to racism and attempted threats against Israel’s Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara. The charges stem from inflammatory comments made on TikTok, where he operated an account named “Kahaneism.” Notable among his posts was a statement that referred to the Attorney General in derogatory terms, which included a threat suggesting she would die.
Details of the Charges
The charges were filed by the prosecution in the Haifa Magistrate’s Court. Yitach allegedly used the TikTok username “kobikanizem” to share content that encouraged racism against Arabs. start of the videos he posted on October 29, 2023, urged viewers to attend a rally commemorating the 35th anniversary of Rabbi Meir Kahane’s assassination. This rally is controversial as Kahane was convicted of terrorism in both Israel and the United States.
The posting included the phrase “Kahane was right”, paired with audio of Kahane advocating for the expulsion of Arabs, further qualifying the content as incitement to racism.
Defense Argument
During the investigation, Yitach claimed that the goal of his account was to facilitate political discussions. Despite this defense, the nature of his posts, which included direct threats and inflammatory rhetoric, has raised serious legal concerns regarding incitement and public order.
Legal Implications
The case against Yitach highlights ongoing tensions surrounding hate speech and incitement in Israel, particularly in the context of political commentary and online behavior. The prosecution has emphasized the need for accountability regarding such statements, signaling a stringent approach to preserving public safety and adherence to the law.
This ongoing matter underlines the broader implications of social media in propagating extremist views and the responsibilities that come with free expression in a democratic society.