The Israel Police arrested a 25-year-old resident of eastern Jerusalem on suspicion of threatening to murder Knesset Education Committee Chairman MK Tzvi Sukkot.
The suspect allegedly sent Sukkot a threatening message on Facebook, accompanied by a gun and ammunition.
According to the police, the suspect, Tarazan Hamad, wrote: "I always have a gun, I go around without being inspected by security, I will kill you when I see you." The police opened an investigation into the threats, arrested the suspect, and collected testimony from MK Sukkot.
At the same time, the Knesset and the Israel Police conducted a situation assessment, after which it was decided to heighten the threat level on Sukkot to Level 4 and to reinforce his security detail.
Sukkot’s office said the threats were received following a series of visits he conducted at schools in Israel’s Arab sector as part of his parliamentary activities, as well as amid his efforts against the phenomenon of protection rackets. According to his office, several threatening messages have been received recently, including images of firearms.
MK Sukkot welcomed the police operation, saying: “I commend the Israel Police for its swift action and the arrest of the suspect. These threats will not deter me or prevent me from continuing to carry out my public mission. Violence, crime, and illegal weapons stockpiles in the Arab sector are a serious threat to the security of Israeli citizens, and I will continue to fight them with all my strength. Anyone who thinks threats will silence me is mistaken."