Man detained over threats against Bennett

Resident of the south reportedly questioned over his online comment on an article about the prime minister earlier this week

A resident of the south was detained for questioning Wednesday over a threat against Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, according to Hebrew media reports.

The National Cyber Crime Unit of Lahav 433 brought in the man over a comment he posted in response to an online article about the prime minister earlier this week. The individual was released following the questioning with restrictions on his movements.

Since before taking office, Bennett has been subject to intense protests and a range of threats. In May, before he became prime minister, the Knesset Guard boosted both Bennett’s personal security and that posted outside his home after a series of threats.

Later that month, police investigated threats made against Bennett on social media, including images circulating of him wearing an Arab headdress with the caption “the liar” — similar to those shared of prime minister Yitzhak Rabin before his assassination.

Bennett is currently visiting Washington ahead of his meeting with United States President Joe Biden on Thursday. The prime minister met with AIPAC CEO Howard Kohr and President Betsy Berns Korn, and is slated to meet later Wednesday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.