Israel's security chief warns of possible bloodshed if Netanyahu incites violence when he leaves office

A member of the Israeli security forces in front of a rocket-damaged synagogue in Ashkelon on May 16, 2021.

he head of Shin Bet (Israel's Security Agency), Nadav Argaman, issued an unusual public warning last Saturday warning that the current atmosphere of incitement to violence in the country amid a possible change of government could lead to a tragic bloodshed.

"We have recently seen the discourse of violence and incitement skyrocket and become more extreme, especially on social media," Argaman said. "I cry out and warn that this rhetoric could be interpreted by certain groups or individuals as one that endorses violent and illegal activities that could even lead to harm to people."

The Shin Bet chief's statement came after the agreement  reached by various opposition parties to form a coalition government in Israel was made public .

Following the news of the agreement, there was  an increase in threats on social networks against important political figures in the country , including Naftali Bennett, leader of the Yamina (New Right) party, who will serve as prime minister during the first two years of the incoming coalition, should it receive the necessary approval from the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament.

The Jerusalem Post  describes Argaman's statement as a rare occurrence, as he traditionally makes such warnings privately to politicians, who then decide whether to make them public or not. On this occasion, the senior official decided to make it public on his own, given that elements of the ruling Likud coalition , which could leave office in the next week, were allegedly behind some of those calls for violence , according to the outlet.

At the same time, the Shin Bet director stressed that politicians and influencers from across the spectrum, as well as religious leaders and educators, must condemn the use of such language.

"It is our duty to issue a clear and unreserved demand for an immediate end to the violent and inciting rhetoric," Argaman stated. "The responsibility to restore a calmer atmosphere and a more moderate speech falls on all our shoulders," he defended.