From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Far-right minister promotes social media post calling for occupation of Sinai Peninsula
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Far-right Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu retweets a social media post promoting merchandise calling for the occupation of the Sinai Peninsula, which Israel returned to Egypt in 1982 as part of the two countries’ landmark 1979 peace treaty.
The tweet calls on the public to purchase a shirt printed with what is supposed to be a map of Israel — including the West Bank, Gaza and Sinai — emblazoned with the slogan “Occupation Now.”
It also contains a link to a website selling “Occupation Now” merchandise and advocating for the expansion of Israeli sovereignty into Sinai, southern Lebanon and, eventually, Jordan.
The original post, which was promoted by Eliyahu, says: “The people demand an occupation! Occupation now!”
A spokesman for the minister does not respond to a request for comment, nor does a spokesman for National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, the leader of Eliyahu’s far-right Otzma Yehudit party.
The Prime Minister’s Office declines to comment when asked for its view on the minister’s post.
Amichai Eliyahu, a member of PM Netanyahu’s cabinet, retweets a post endorsing a website calling for “occupation now” in both Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula (part of Egypt).
The website states “ניפגש בתעלת סואץ” – which in English means “we will meet at the Suez Canal.” pic.twitter.com/vB6XpGuTe3
— Sam Sokol (@SamuelSokol) July 3, 2024
