National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Wednesday instructed the Israel Police to prevent any acts of sympathy or encouragement for an act of terrorism as part of preparations for the release of Arab-Israeli terrorist Maher Younis on Thursday.
Ben-Gvir attended a meeting together with Israel Police Insp.-Gen. Kobi Shabtai on Tuesday in anticipation of the release of Younis, who together with his recently released cousin Karim Younis was part of a terrorist group convicted of murdering IDF Cpl. Avraham Bromberg in 1980.
Police reinforcements arrive
A beefed-up police presence was sent to the outskirts of Arara and near his family’s house on Tuesday, KAN News reported.
The police summoned Younis’s family members and told them they were not allowed to set up a visitor’s tent on their property or display a PLO flag. They pledged not to celebrate his release, the police said.
“This event is a test of our sovereignty, and we must in no way allow serious offenses of encouraging and supporting terrorism anywhere in the State of Israel,” Ben-Gvir said. “The eyes of all Israeli citizens are on this event, and the sharper, more aggressive and clearer we are, the clearer the statement will be: that the State of Israel and the security forces will not allow such events to occur under our sovereignty.”
Shabtai said: “We are prepared for the release, and at the same time, I spoke with a relative of the late Avraham Bromberg a few days ago and assured him that the Israel Police will not allow any support or sympathy for the terrorist.”
Celebrations for Karim Younis
Two weeks ago, celebrations over the release of Karim Younis led to calls by politicians and right-wing groups to rearrest him and strip him of his Israeli citizenship.