Man faces 28 charges after X posts called for killing of Israeli leaders

A 49-year-old man from Ein Hahoresh now faces 28 criminal counts after posting messages on X that called for the murder of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other government figures. The State Attorney’s Office filed the indictment against Raz Weinberger on Sunday in the Petah Tikva Magistrate’s Court. Prosecutors asked the judge to keep him in custody until the trial ends, citing the risk he poses through his own actions and his potential influence on others.

The charges stem from 21 posts published between September 10 and October 19. This period covered the run-up to the election for the 26th Knesset. Weinberger is accused of 10 counts of incitement to terrorism and 18 counts of incitement to violence. Some of the posts support both categories of charges. According to the filing, he described Netanyahu as the greatest traitor in the country’s history who deserved death. In another message, he allegedly called for Netanyahu, his wife, and their two sons to be burned alive.

The posts also targeted specific members of the coalition government. One reply to Likud MK Almog Cohen called for his beheading. Another post directed at Likud MK Tally Gotliv demanded sexual violence and that she be burned. Other comments called for the killing of ministers and supporters of the administration. The indictment notes that Weinberger’s account had about 40 followers, though the posts were public. View counts for the replies ranged from 23 to 283.

Weinberger was arrested on October 23. During five police interviews, he acknowledged writing all the posts using his cellphone. Records recovered from the phone linked him to the account. In one statement, he conceded that his posts could have led others to take the law into their own hands, although he said he hoped they had not. Prosecutors note he has no prior criminal record but argue the repetition and severity of the posts show a sustained pattern rather than isolated remarks.

Investigators found that Weinberger was trained to use a firearm and possessed one until recently. This history heightens concerns about his ability to carry out violence himself. His lawyer previously sought release to an alternative to detention, citing the account’s small audience and Weinberger’s lack of action. The defense also pointed to his reserve military service and volunteer work with police.

In the Sunday request, prosecutors argued that house arrest would be insufficient because Weinberger could still access the internet via a phone, computer, or other device. They stated that the conclusion of the election did not remove the danger, as political tensions could persist during government formation efforts.