Israeli Knesset Member Amit Halevi (Likud), a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, has sparked intense international backlash after calling for Israel to expand its military targets against Iran and Hezbollah to include mosques, religious institutions, and educational centers that promote the destruction of Israel. In a public statement, Halevi urged a shift in Israel’s strategy, moving beyond striking weapons warehouses and launchers (which are quickly rebuilt) to targeting the enemy’s civilian and ideological infrastructure. He explicitly included ports, oil refineries, government offices, media outlets, and mosques and religious-educational institutions that spread incitement and calls for Israel’s annihilation. Sharp Reactions Across the Arab and Muslim World.
* The remarks have triggered widespread anger throughout the Arab and Muslim world. Officials, religious figures, and social media users have strongly condemned the comments, accusing Israel of trying to turn the conflict into a religious war. Iranian state media and various Arab countries described the call as a “dangerous escalation” and an attack on holy sites.
* The statement has gone viral on Arabic social media platforms, with thousands of posts labeling it as inflammatory and warning of a potential “regional religious war.”
Halevi argued that Israel must strike at the ideological and financial foundations sustaining the enemy’s war machine, not just its military assets. His comments come amid ongoing high-intensity conflict with Iran and Hezbollah, and heightened regional tensions around sensitive religious sites. No official response has yet been issued by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or the IDF regarding Halevi’s specific proposal. (Ed note: Now that's a laugh. For how long has the Arab been calling for the annihilation of the Jew? Psalm 83?) (Source)
