A/HRC/35/19/Add.1 that dehumanize the other side, incite hatred, and only serve to perpetuate a culture of violence.37 This recommendation requires demonstrated political leadership in two ways: a.) abstaining from making statements that incite to hate and dehumanize the other side; and b.) taking action that prevents such statements. 34. In relation to Israel, statements such as those described in the recommendation were made throughout the period covered by this review and increased during times of escalation of violence and hostilities. In November 2014, the Internal Security Minister, Yitzhak Aharonovitch, following an incident in which a Palestinian man rammed a vehicle into pedestrians at a light rail stop in Jerusalem, stated: “A terrorist who attacks civilians deserves to be killed.”38 Derogatory statements were made by Naftali Bennet, then Minister of Economy, and Ayelet Shaked, the current minister of Justice. 39 In line with the recommendation’s requirement to take active steps to prevent dehumanization, in July 2015, Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned an arson attack in Douma, in which Israeli settlers killed three Palestinians and gravely injured a five-year-old boy, calling it a “horrific, heinous terrorist act.”40 However, in February 2016, when announcing the plan to surround Israel with fences, the Prime Minister said: “In our neighbourhood, we need to protect ourselves from wild beasts,”41 which clearly dehumanized Palestinians and could incite hatred and violence. While the representatives of some organizations 42 and the authors of the book Torat Hamelech were arrested for incitement,43 these actions did not result in any indictment. When assessing the above as a whole, despite some positive statements, the balance of the actions are not adequate to qualify as refraining from and taking active steps to prevent statements that dehumanize and incite violence. There is no evidence of systematic condemnation of statements made that would incite violence, and as well no indictments have followed the few arrests made on these grounds. This recommendation is considered “not implemented”. 35. Several reports have documented the Palestinian authorities’ persistent use of statements like those described in the recommendation. In its report of June 2016, the Middle East Quartet noted that “Palestinians who commit terrorist attacks are often glorified publicly as ‘heroic martyrs.” 44 It further noted that “Hamas and other radical factions […] use media outlets to glorify terrorism and openly call for violence against Jews, including instructing viewers on how to carry out stabbings. 45 For instance, in a statement issued in February 2017, Moshir El Masry, a member of the legislative committee of Hamas’ bureau, urged all imprisoned Palestinians to “initiate a stabbing intifada behind bars targeting Israeli soldiers.”46 The Middle East Quartet also noted that “Some members of Fatah have publicly supported attacks and their perpetrators, as well as encouraged violent confrontation.” 47 The Quarter also observed that although the Palestinian Authority leadership had “made statements expressing opposition to violence against civilians, […] regrettably, […] Palestinian leaders have not consistently and clearly condemned specific terrorist attacks.” 48 No actions have been documented indicating efforts 37 A/HRC/29/CRP.4, para. 678. See www.timesofisrael.com/internal-security-minister-calls-for-demolishing-terrorists-home/. 39 See www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Bennett-under-fire-for-comments-about-killingArabs-321467, www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/11599932/New-Israelijustice-minister-notorious-for-anti-Palestinian-rhetoric-given-bodyguard-after-Nazi-deaththreats.html. 40 See www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-condemns-terrible-heinous-terror-attack-on-palestinians 41 See www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/10/netanyahu-plans-fence-around-israel-to-protect-itfrom-wild-beasts. 42 See www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.632270. 43 See www.jpost.com/Israel-News/High-Court-No-basis-to-indict-Torat-Hamelech-authors-forincitement-436795. 44 See www.un.org/News/dh/infocus/middle_east/Report-of-the-Middle-East-Quartet.pdf . 45 Ibid. 46 See www.watania.net/news/101154-‫حماس‬-‫تدعو‬--‫لتفعيل‬-‫انتفاضة‬-‫الطعن‬-‫خلف‬-‫ال‬. 47 Ibid. 48 Ibid. 38 10