Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Zamira Rahim

Netanyahu's Facebook page suspended over hate speech

Facebook has sanctioned Benjamin Netanyahu’s official page, after a post called on voters to oppose a government composed of “Arabs who want to destroy us all – women, children and men.”

The social media company said the post violated its hate speech policy.

Facebook consequently disabled the page’s automatic chat function for 24 hours.

The Israeli prime minister has denied writing the post.

In an interview with Kan Reshet Bet radio, Mr Netanyahu suggested that a staffer’s mistake was responsible.

The right-wing president is campaigning to retain his office in an election next week.

The 69-year-old has attempted to ensure nationalist support by using hardline rhetoric.

On Tuesday Mr Netanyahu pledged to annex the Jordan Valley, which is part of the occupied West Bank.

Annexation would be illegal under international law but Mr Netanyahu asked the voters to provide him with a “mandate” for annexation in the election.

Mr Netanyahu’s right wing Likud party faces tough competition from the centre-right Blue and White Party.

The Israeli prime minister emerged victorious in a 9 April election but failed to win enough seats in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, to build a government.

He dissolved the legislature for a second time in six months, triggering another election which will be held on 17 September.

Additional reporting by agencies

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.