Israeli arrested for graffitiing hate speech on Yariv Levin's home during shiva

An Israeli man in his 60s was arrested on Saturday evening on suspicion of involvement in the spray-painting of hate speech against judicial reform leader and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Israel Police said.

The unnamed Israeli is suspected of vandalizing personal property when he allegedly spray-painted the words "Yariv Levin - the people's enemy" on the wall of the justice minister's house in Modi'in on Frida, as Levin sat shiva for his father who passed away earlier this week.

The arrest comes after Israel Police announced they were opening an investigation into the hate speech.

Politicians condemn spray-painting of hate speech

The act of vandalism was condemned immediately by members of both the coalition and the opposition.

"I strongly condemn the spraying of hate speech against Levin while he's sitting shiva, the violent attack against Economy Minister Nir Barkat while he was at a political event and the calls to murder Legislation Committee Chairman Simcha Rothman," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "I expect the police and the prosecutor's office to act immediately and in full force against this incitement and violence."

"The spraying of hateful words on the home of Justice Minister Yariv Levin, while he sits shiva for his father, is a hateful thing, shame on you," said Education Minister Yoav Kisch. "Hate is what will destroy us as a society, not the reform."

"The serious hate speech that was sprayed onto Yariv Levin's house while he sits shiva for his father is the result of an inciteful campaign that was meant to sow hate toward us," said Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar. "We are democratically applying the will of the people and are bringing a wanted change. The incitement and lies that our democracy is in danger are a spin that was meant to scare the public. The judicial reform will be completed."

The opposition condemns the speech

"The messaged on the home of Yariv Levin during his shiva for his father is not suitable and not in keeping with the spirit of the protest," said opposition leader Yair Lapid.

"I have a deep disagreement with Justice Minister Yariv Levin about the judicial overhaul that he's advancing, and I will do everything I can to prevent him from succeeding in his plan to critically harm the democracy," wrote National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz. "But even when the house is on fire, we cannot cross the line. I condemn the spraying of addresses near his home. The protests to protect the democracy are critical, but inciteful words are not legitimate."

"Crazy people, stop!" wrote Gantz's fellow party member MK Ze'ev Elkin on Twitter. "We are brothers, one people! Yariv, may you know no more sorrow."

"There's no place for hateful discourse, there's no place for inciteful speech," said Yisrael Beytenu MK Oded Forer. "I condemn whoever chose this degrading way to spray inciteful speech on the home of Minister Levin while he sits shiva."