What’s happening:
Knesset members Eli Dellal of the Likud party and Eliyahu Revivo received threatening letters at their homes from an organization calling itself the “Israeli Avengers.” The letters, which contain explicit threats to harm coalition members and their families, include addresses and personal information. The Israel Police have been alerted to these threats.
Why it matters:
Sending explicit threats to public officials is an aggression that not only undermines the personal safety of these individuals but also strikes at the heart of democratic processes. These threats can have a chilling effect on public service and governance, impacting both current policy decisions and future leadership participation.
Details:
The letters gave detailed personal information about the Knesset members and their families, raising severe concerns about safety and security. Authorities are taking the matter seriously, with full investigations set to launch to identify the perpetrators behind this menacing act. The Knesset security officer has filed a complaint and further investigations will be determined by the internal security units based on prioritization and resource capacity.
The letters explained:
An excerpt from the letter poses as a sinister founding manifesto of the “Israeli Avengers Organization,” claiming to be established to exact revenge and cause harm to terrorists. However, the group has now directed focus towards sitting coalition members, promising retaliation that would proportionally match the “number of those who fall.” This reference implies a possibility of physical harm intended not only towards the officials themselves but also their loved ones.
Knesset members’ response:
Knesset member Revivo’s office has publicly expressed their shock and strong condemnation of the threats. They declared that no level of political disagreement could justify such menacing action and affirmed confidence that security officials will prosecute the culprits. Affirming resilience, they have stated: “Knesset member Revivo will not be deterred.”
Security implications:
The nature of the threats demands an increase in security measures for the affected Knesset members and possibly for the Knesset as a whole, considering the specificity of the information provided in the threats. Political tensions within the country could significantly rise as these events unfold, and they serve as another reminder of the volatile nature of regional and internal politics.
This story was first published on ynetnews.com.