Twitter bans far-right activists Baruch Marzel, Bentzi Gopstein

Marzel was the leader of the right-wing Jewish National Front party and worked for Rabbi Meir Kahane. Gopstein is known for founding the far-right Lehava organization.

The Twitter logo is displayed on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., September 28, 2016.  (photo credit: REUTERS/BRENDAN MCDERMID/FILE PHOTO)
The Twitter logo is displayed on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., September 28, 2016.
(photo credit: REUTERS/BRENDAN MCDERMID/FILE PHOTO)

Twitter blocked the accounts of Israeli right-wing political activists Bentzi Gopstein and Baruch Marzel on Wednesday.

The two received no notice or right to appeal the decision.

Marzel was the leader of the right-wing Jewish National Front party and worked for Rabbi Meir Kahane. Gopstein is known for founding the far-right Lehava organization. 

The two are associated with the far Right and have come under fire for their views and actions in the past. 

Religious Zionist MK Itamar Ben-Gvir said in response to the ban: "It cannot be that the accounts of active terrorists exist and the accounts of two public figures in Israel who work for the people are blocked. I intend to initiate a discussion on the issue and formulate moves against Twitter."

Otzma Yehudit leader MK Itamar Ben-Gvir rallies outside Damascus Gate, Old City, Jerusalem, June 10, 2021.  (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Otzma Yehudit leader MK Itamar Ben-Gvir rallies outside Damascus Gate, Old City, Jerusalem, June 10, 2021. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

This is not the first time the two encountered difficulties on social media. In June, they were questioned by the Israel Police's Lahav 433 National Crime Unit on suspicion of incitement to racism, after a number of posts and messages ascribed to them appeared on social media.

Gopstein was indicted in 2019 on charges of incitement to terrorism, violence and racism. His organization, Lehava, advocates against intermarriage and relationships between Jews and non-Jews.

Both men were disqualified in 2019 from running for the Knesset on the Otzma Yehudit Party's list, which is now led by Ben-Gvir as part of the Religious Zionist Party.