Jewish Power Representative Distributes Pins with Noose Symbol to Students

A representative from the "Otzma Yehudit" (Jewish Power) party sparked a significant controversy at a technical high school in Herzliya on Tuesday when he distributed pins featuring a noose symbol to minor students. The school's teaching staff intervened immediately, collecting the pins from the students. The incident has been escalated to the municipality's post-elementary education department, with the school's administration involved.

Herzliya Mayor Yariv Fischer strongly condemned the act, calling it a "crossing of an educational, value-based, and moral red line that will not be ignored." He stated his refusal to allow students' minds to be "defiled with violent and populist symbols."

In response to the incident, the "Guardians of State Education" organization advised school administrators to refrain from inviting individuals associated with violence and racism to their premises. Conversely, the Otzma Yehudit party defended the distribution, asserting it was meant to "illustrate to the younger generation the importance of deterrence against terror." The party added that a terrorist who intends to kill a Jew should die, and the pin signifies their "seriousness of intent regarding a death penalty law for terrorists," vowing to continue their fight against terror.

This event follows a series of political controversies surrounding National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his party. Ben-Gvir has also faced public criticism for election signs displayed around the anniversary of the October 7th massacre, which suggested that the events would not have occurred if he had been Defense Minister.