News

The intent of the anonymous Internet video
was unambiguous: "This person should be killed — and soon," read a
message underneath a photo of Israel's deputy state prosecutor, Shai Nitzan.

His
alleged offense? "Betraying" his Jewish roots by opening a criminal
inquiry into racist threats and hate speech expressed on two
Israel-based Facebook pages with statements in Hebrew such as "Death to Arabs."

It was the latest, and most overtly
violent, sign of what many here are calling a wave of intolerance toward
people of different races, religions, orientations and viewpoints.

From
rabbinical prohibitions against renting homes to "non-Jews" to
government crackdowns on left-wing activists, Israelis are grappling
with their nation's identity and character.

Across the political spectrum, some see the struggle as a threat to Israel's democratic ideals. Opposition leader >>>