Following the horrifying statements of Amos Schocken: Levin demands a criminal penalty as Haretz newspaper faces major boycotting amid the scandal.
The uproar caused by the exposure of extreme statements made by Haaretz publisher Amos Schocken against Israel and in support of Hamas continues, after government offices and many organizations severed ties with the newspaper. Now, the Minister of Justice has approached the legal advisor, demanding the enactment of a criminal penalty for similar actions.
After his harsh and extreme words were revealed last night on Channel 14 broadcasts, in which Haaretz publisher Amos Schocken referred to Hamas militants as freedom fighters during a conference in London and called on the world to impose sanctions on Israel, the repercussions of Schocken's extreme statements continue to accumulate.
First, during the morning and afternoon hours, a significant public uproar arose against Schocken and the newspaper he stands at the helm of. Subsequently, government ministries that advertise in the printed press began to announce that they would sever all ties with Haaretz.
Now another blow falls on Schocken as a result of his shocking statements. The Minister of Justice and Deputy Prime Minister, Yariv Levin, has sent an urgent letter to the Legal Advisor to the Government. In his appeal, Minister Levin demanded that the Legal Advisor expedite the preparation of a legal affidavit for the government to discuss as soon as possible. Levin demands that the law impose criminal penalties on Israeli citizens who act and encourage "the imposition of international sanctions on Israel, its leaders, security forces, and Israeli citizens."
In his appeal, Yariv Levin demanded that such acts would result in a significant criminal prison sentence, of no less than ten years for a convicted individual.
