Shin Bet Arrests Palestinian Security Official For Facebook Incitement

The Israel Security Agency (Shin  Bet), revealed Tuesday that it arrested a senior member of the Palestinian Preventive security in Jenin last month on on suspicion of incitement and support for a hostile organization.

The Shin Bet, in cooperation with the IDF, arrested Muhammad al-Sawiti, a resident of Beit Awwa, west of Hebron, after he posted on Facebook extremist content including a direct call to “carry out acts of violence against Jews and words of praise, admiration and support for acts of terrorism.”

Al-Sawiti was indicted Monday at the Judea Military Court for incitement.

Al-Sawiti posted photos of Adolf Hitler on Facebook, writing “We need Hitler” of Adolf Eichmann, writing “We need people like him.”  Al-Sawiti also posted a picture of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, writing “Spill blood for it.”

In a statement, the Shin Bet said “online incitement, especially on social media, inflames passions and is liable to lead to acts of terrorism. The ISA will continue to act to neutralize and thwart online incitement to terrorism.”