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Police on Friday arrested anti-government activist and Tel Aviv University lecturer Yolanda Yavor for allegedly posting messages on social media that incited violence against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other public figures. The arrest marks her second detention in recent months and has reignited national debate over the limits of political expression in Israel.
Yavor, a resident of Or Akiva and a lecturer in the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies at Tel Aviv University, was taken into custody after police cited a series of Facebook posts as grounds for concern. In the posts, she urged followers to “fight the traitor” and “collaborators,” referring to Netanyahu and his supporters, and called for what she described as a “real rebellion.”
One of her posts read, “The only choice is to be — that is, to fight the traitor, the mouthpieces, the damned collaborators and his bargain-bin Freikorps militias with all the strength and all means — or not to be.” She then urged her audience to “make the right choice,” warning, “There won’t be another round.”
Yavor referenced protest chants used prominently by anti-government demonstrators over the past two years. “We said ‘Democracy or rebellion,’ remember?” she wrote. “So rebellion it is. But a real one, like one imported from Romania, not AliExpress-meets-Kaplan.”
Her posts also included hashtags such as “Dictators are not overthrown at the ballot box,” “Netanyahu is a traitor,” and “We’re coming for you,” which police say contributed to the decision to arrest her.
Authorities intend to bring Yavor before a judge on Saturday at the Haifa Magistrate’s Court, where police are expected to request a five-day extension of her remand. Law enforcement officials argue that her posts constitute a clear call for violent action, thereby crossing the legal threshold separating protected political speech from criminal behavior.
The arrest comes amid ongoing tensions surrounding public discourse, as activists, politicians and rights groups continue to debate the boundaries of free expression. Supporters of Yavor argue that her statements fall within the realm of political protest, albeit provocative, and warn that arresting critics based on online posts risks chilling legitimate dissent.
This is not Yavor’s first run-in with authorities. In September, she was arrested for allegedly inciting violence after sharing a video depicting the torching of the Nepali prime minister’s residence. At the time, she commented that such an act should be carried out against Netanyahu. A judge instructed her to remove the post, which she agreed to do, after which she was placed under house arrest with several restrictions.
That previous case drew widespread public reaction, with many emphasizing the delicate balance between preventing potential violence and protecting freedom of expression. This latest arrest is likely to fuel similar discussions, particularly as Israel continues to face political polarization and large-scale protests.
Police officials say the arrest is necessary to prevent escalation. “When statements cross into explicit calls for physical harm, action must be taken,” one official said on condition of anonymity. Critics, however, claim that the vague nature of incitement laws leaves too much room for subjective interpretation, potentially enabling selective enforcement.
Legal experts note that Israeli law allows the arrest of individuals whose statements pose a potential risk to public safety, even if no direct violent act has occurred. However, successful prosecutions often require clear proof that the speech encouraged imminent harm — a standard that has been the subject of legal disputes.
Yavor’s supporters plan to gather outside the Haifa courthouse during her remand hearing, arguing that her arrest represents the misuse of state power against political critics. Several activists have framed the case as part of a broader pattern of heightened police monitoring of anti-government voices.
As the legal proceedings move forward, Yavor’s case is expected to reignite public discussion over Israel’s handling of politically charged speech. With national tensions high and public discourse increasingly polarized, her arrest has once again placed free expression and security concerns on a collision course.
For now, Yavor remains in custody as authorities seek to determine whether her posts constitute dangerous incitement or protected political rhetoric — a question that continues to divide Israeli society.