Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has condemned the “intimidation” of prominent Arab-Israeli news anchor Lucy Aharish by a group of hard-right influencers.
Aharish, who became the first Arab-Muslim presenter for a major Hebrew-language outlet when she was hired by Channel 10 in 2007 and now works for Channel 13, has been subjected to abuse and harassment as activists gathered outside her Tel Aviv home three times this week.
It appears she has been targeted due to her status as a high-profile critic of the Netanyahu government, and she has claimed that the demonstrators are “Netanyahu’s goons”.
After clips of the demonstration surfaced on social media, Bennett said: “Sending paid thugs to Lucy Aharish’s private home to intimidate her and her family is a dangerous crossing of a red line.
“When this is done with the encouragement or the turning of a blind eye by government ministers, it is much more serious
"On the day when, God forbid, journalists walk around in fear of criticising the government, we will cease to be a democratic state. We will also cease to be a Jewish state, because the foundation of Jewish heritage is liberty, free criticism, and checks on absolute power.”
Aharish has received particular backlash from pro-government groups for a piece aired on February 1 in which she criticised the coalition’s response to the ongoing crime wave within the Arab-Israel community.
Mordechai David, a right-wing provocateur with a sizeable following on social media, has been issued with a restraining order against approaching Aharish’s home after he and another individual, identified in Hebrew media as a Likud activist, entered her apartment complex with a megaphone.
David was also filmed arguing with Fauda star Tsahi Halevi, Aharish’s partner, outside the building.
The outspoken influencer has previously been praised by members of Netanyahu’s cabinet, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose role includes responsibility for policing.
The protests have also been condemned by several other senior political figures, with Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats party, saying: “Dear Lucy and Tsahi, I’m sending you a big hug and my full support. The ugly persecution you’re experiencing is just the tip of the iceberg of what the regime is planning for us in the elections.
"They’re afraid of the truth. Of a brave journalist who dares to criticise. Of every citizen who refuses to stay silent and fights for their home. To protect democracy, we must not be afraid.”
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