Israeli Academic Faces Terror Incitement Charges Over Anti-Netanyahu Posts

The Israeli State Prosecutor's Office has informed Dr. Iolanda Yavor, a protest activist and lecturer at Tel Aviv University, of its intention to indict her for incitement to terror, pending a hearing. The charges were reportedly elevated from incitement to violence. The decision was approved by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and State Prosecutor Amit Issar.

Yavor was arrested approximately 10 months ago following two social media posts critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In one post, she referenced the Romanian Revolution and the execution of dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu, calling for rebellion and struggle against Netanyahu and his associates, stating that the only choice was to fight the "traitor" and his "mouthpieces and collaborators" with "all force and all means." She also wrote, "We said democracy or rebellion" and "Dictatorships are not overthrown at the ballot box."

In a separate post, for which she was initially arrested, Yavor shared an image of the Nepalese prime minister's house burning with the caption "Only this way." Initially, both incidents were investigated as incitement to violence. Yavor was detained for six days in November. The complaint against her was filed by the right-wing organization Im Tirtzu.

Yavor's attorney, Oshrat Kirma, stated that the decision to indict is politically motivated and follows a request from the Likud party to expedite the case. Yavor will have the opportunity to present her arguments during the hearing before a final decision is made. The maximum penalty for the alleged offenses is five years imprisonment.

In a Facebook post, Yavor acknowledged receiving support and urged her followers to focus on opposing Netanyahu and his government, whom she called a "bloody government." She accused him of trying to distract and exhaust the public, urging them to keep their focus on him.