Actress, social media influencer arrested in Nazareth, suspected of hate speech

Israeli authorities apprehended actress and social media personality Maisa Abd Elhadi on Tuesday due to controversial statements she made online, according to Israeli media.

Elhadi, from Nazareth, was arrested after a series of social media posts that seemingly endorsed the violent actions of Hamas, particularly the attacks on the Gaza border communities on October 7.

Among the contentious posts was an image of the broken border fence between Gaza and Israel, accompanied by a caption: "Let's Go Berlin Style" - a clear allusion to the historic fall of the Berlin Wall, suggesting a call for barrier-breaking conflict.

Heightened tensions to online hate speech or terrorist propaganda

This incident escalates amid the backdrop of heightened tensions and a rigorous state response to online content classified as hate speech or terrorist propaganda. Elhadi's detention was executed by the Northern District Israel police, who are part of an extensive operation monitoring digital platforms for potential incitement.

Post-arrest, she underwent intensive interrogation at the police station. Authorities plan a subsequent court session where they will propose prolonging Elhadi's custody for deeper investigation, underscoring the severity of the accusations.

Public figures from the entertainment industry have voiced their dismay. Among the outspoken is actor Ofer Schechter, Elhadi's co-star in the "Dead for a Moment" series aired on HOT.

Schechter expressed profound disappointment through his Instagram platform, condemning Elhadi for her actions.

His statement highlighted a sense of betrayal, emphasizing the paradox of her enjoying a career in Israel and then seemingly undermining the very community that supports her.

Specialized teams are relentlessly pursuing these cases, having already addressed 246 instances of suspicious online content.

The legal follow-through is significant, with 118 investigations initiated, a total of 100 suspects in detention, and the preparation of numerous indictments, indicating a robust system reacting to this emerging threat vector.