Palestinian teacher arrested in West Bank over alleged online incitement

A Palestinian schoolteacher in his 30s has been arrested in the West Bank village of Tell as part of an investigation into suspected online incitement and support for a terrorist organization, Israel Police said. The case concerns social media posts that police allege glorified terrorism over several months.

IDF troops raided the teacher's home after authorities identified the posts and transferred him for questioning. Following his interrogation, he remained in custody. Police said they were expected to bring him before a court to request an extension of his detention while the investigation proceeds.

According to investigators, the teacher's social media activity included material inciting terrorism, praising terrorist organizations and supporting security prisoners. One post featured a photograph of a memorial to four terrorists who opened fire in an agricultural area near the village, killing Capt. (res.) Benayahu Melet and Maj. Yuval Ezra.

Police said the memorial described the four as martyrs. In a message accompanying its photograph, the suspect prayed for their forgiveness and acceptance into paradise. In another post, he described the terrorists as brothers, loved ones and cousins, praising them for sacrificing their lives on their homeland's soil and advancing without retreating.

Investigators also said they found posts glorifying the October 7 massacre. Among the material cited was an illustration of a Hamas terrorist using a paraglider, which the teacher allegedly shared in the days after the attack.

Police placed the investigation within a wider effort by Israeli security agencies to monitor social media for suspected incitement to violence, support for terrorism and praise of terrorists. They said several agencies cooperate in this work, sharing responsibilities that range from gathering intelligence about suspects to making arrests and conducting other operations.

In a separate case, three Hebron residents were arrested overnight on Sunday over suspected social media support for Hamas and a terrorist attack in the West Bank on Friday. That attack killed St.-Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem. Police said the suspects posted photographs of the terrorists with praise and songs glorifying their actions, while one characterized the shooting as a Hebron operation.

The IDF's Central Command monitored the Hebron suspects' online activity before security forces raided their homes and arrested them. Police said efforts against incitement and support for terrorism would continue online and in public spaces, with particular attention to expressions of support for attacks on security forces.