Israeli court allows distribution of Charlie Hebdo

The Israeli Supreme Court yesterday allowed Yisrael Beiteinu, headed by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, to distribute the special issue of the French magazine Charlie Hebdo which contains a cartoon portraying Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

In a post on its account Facebook, Israel Beiteinu said: “The decision was taken after the opposition of the Arab parties.”

Lieberman considered “the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the distribution of the magazine Charlie Hebdo as an important message emphasising that Israel is a Jewish and democratic state which does not bow to threats and violence exercised by Arab Knesset members who are trying to change Israel to an ISIS State [Islamic State], we welcome the right decision taken by the Supreme Court.”

Israeli public radio highlighted that “the decision was taken by a majority of members of the judiciary board; the Supreme Court President Judge Miriam Naor opposed the decision.”

The radio said: “The court’s decision stated that the distribution of the French magazine is considered legitimate election campaigning, rather than a prohibited present, according to the law.”