The recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump is drawing chilling parallels to ongoing political tensions in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced intense criticism and protests.
Israeli political commentator Amit Segal recently questioned in Yediot Aharonot, "Can words kill?" — a prescient inquiry in light of the Trump shooting.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a two-hour cabinet meeting to address just this issue: what he perceives as incitement against him and his government. During the meeting, ministers viewed a compilation of video clips showing critics using harsh language and even making threats against him.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid dismissed Netanyahu's concerns, calling him a "crybaby and a coward." Lapid argued that while he condemns all incitement, Netanyahu is not a victim.
He also criticized Netanyahu's focus on threats against himself, arguing that other pressing matters deserve equal attention. Lapid stated, "There is no two-hour discussion about the 101 victims of Kibbutz Be'eri, there is no two-hour discussion about the soldier who was seriously injured in the north by a drone."
He further emphasized that threats are unfortunately common for public figures. He recounted his own experience with threats during his time as prime minister, saying he directed such matters to security services without public fanfare.
Nonetheless, Netanyahu's concern isn't unfounded. History has shown that inflammatory rhetoric can have dire consequences. The 1995 assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin is often cited as a tragic example of how extreme political discourse can lead to violence.
Justice Minister Yair Levin warned, "It's a miracle that what happened in the United States hasn't happened until now," adding that that what happened in the United States could happen in Israel if public discourse is left unchecked.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir placed blame on Attorney General Gali Baharav Miara for allegedly enabling incitement.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also seemed to blame the attorney general and Netanyahu’s political opponents for facilitating incitement during his party’s weekly meeting in the Knesset on Monday. He demanded that “the leaders of the left, Lapid, Gantz and Baharav-Miara… stop the dangerous incitement.”
As politicians play the blame game, Netanyahu may very well be in clear and present danger. After all, the Secret Service couldn't prevent Trump from very nearly being assassinated just a few short days ago.
* The Times of Israel and JPost contributed to this article.
