Left-wing peace activists physically attacked Economy Minister Naftali Bennett Tuesday afternoon at a peace conference in Tel Aviv sponsored by the Ha’aretz newspaper.
Bennett’s speech was interrupted several times as participants shouted “murderer” and “fascist.” Eventually, the leader of the Jewish Home party completed his speech and left the stage, only to be rushed and attacked by the peaceniks. One punched Bennet in the back before the latter was rushed from the room by security guards.
Responding to the incident, Ha’aretz publisher Amos Shocken – who’s newspaper routinely demonizes Bennett and portrays the Judea and Samaria community he represents as enemies of Israel – tried to calm tempers.
“There are people here who agreed to speak to Arafat, but they won’t listen to Bennett,” he reminded the crowd.
After the attack, Bennett told The Jerusalem Post: “I represent a stance shared by millions of people and no one will silence me.” A Bayit Yehudi spokesman said the party is shocked and distressed by the attack on Bennett.