96% OF ‘INCITEMENT’ CASES IN ISRAEL TARGET ARABS SINCE BEN-GVIR TOOK OFFICE: REPORT

Wed 12 November 2025:

Nearly all “incitement” cases opened by Israeli police since Itamar Ben-Gvir became Minister of National Security have targeted Arab citizens, according to official data released under a Freedom of Information request.

Figures provided to the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) show that since Ben-Gvir assumed office in December 2022, police have opened 710 cases related to alleged incitement, 96 per cent of which involved Arab citizens, compared with only 4 per cent against Jewish Israelis.

The cases fall under Israel’s Counter-Terrorism Law, which criminalises expressions of solidarity or support for terrorist organisations, including “praising” such groups or displaying their symbols — offenses punishable by up to three years in prison.

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The data also reveals a sharp rise in such cases over the past three years, particularly following the outbreak of the Gaza war on 7 October 2023. In 2022, only 35 cases were opened — 34 against Arabs and one against a Jewish Israeli.

Between Ben-Gvir’s appointment and October 2023, police initiated 54 cases, while an additional 296 cases were launched between 7 October and 31 December 2023 alone.

The police did not disclose how many of these cases were closed without charges or convictions, leaving unclear how many allegations were ultimately substantiated.

Ben-Gvir, a far-right politician and leader of the Jewish Power Party, has repeatedly vowed to impose tougher measures against what he describes as “terror supporters,” drawing criticism from civil rights groups who accuse him of weaponising legal tools to suppress Arab dissent.

-MEMO

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