MK Halevi Calls for Bombing Mosques, Sparking an Outcry

MK Amit Halevi’s statement that mosques from which calls are heard for Israel’s destruction should be bombed has drawn sharp reactions in the Arab world. In Egypt, warnings were issued about a “religious war,” and Al Mayadeen said the remarks reflect the position of the Israeli coalition.

The declaration by Likud MK Amit Halevi, that mosques from which calls are heard for Israel’s destruction should be bombed, has triggered a broad wave of anger and protest across the Middle East. Major media outlets and Arab states strongly condemned the remarks, and the political establishment in the region is following the developments with concern.

In Egypt, public and media outrage was recorded following the statement. Media outlets in the country described the comments as “dangerous incitement to harm holy sites” and a direct threat to Muslim freedom of worship. At the same time, Arab news agencies operating in East Jerusalem extensively covered Halevi’s remarks and described them as part of a policy of “deliberate escalation” against the Muslim population and its sacred sites. Some reports expressed concern that the conflict could turn into a broader religious war.

The Lebanese Al Mayadeen network, which is close to Hezbollah, also gave extensive coverage to the MK’s remarks. The network claimed that Halevi’s words reflect the mood within the Israeli coalition and called on the Muslim world to wake up to what it described as “plans to harm mosques.”

Political commentators in Arab media stressed that a public call by an elected official to bomb houses of worship constitutes crossing a red line. In their view, such a statement could lead to further escalation in the various arenas.