Former Shas Party leader and Member of Knesset Eli Yishai has been receiving death threats, and so far one Shas supporter has been arrested.
Above: Eli Yishai
Sefardi Haredi Pol Gets Death Threats After Leaving Shas To Form New Political Party
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
A 25-year-old supporter of the Sefardi haredi Shas Party, Benyamin Yoshua Niki, was arrested earlier this week after threatening to kill former Shas Party leader Member of Knesset Eli Yishai.
The threats took place during and immediately after a press conference held in the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem Monday by Yishai, announcing his departure from Shas and his formation of a new political party.
The press conference was disrupted by several Shas supporters who screamed, chanted, stormed the stage and tore down Yishai campaign signs.
During the initial melee Niki, standing within feet of Yishai, allegedly shouted his first death threat.
“We have blood in our eyes! There is no separation between the goal and the means! Yishai is a zero! We will hurt him!” Niki allegedly screamed, the Jerusalem Post reported.
Yishai was taken out of the hotel by his own security people as Niki and the other Shas supporters tried to get at him, during the resulting pushing and shoving, Niki apparently threatened to kill Yishai.
When asked by an incredulous Yishai security officer if he was serious about the threat, Niki allegedly responded that he was.
Because of the screaming, pushing and shoving, and Niki’s threats, police were called and Niki was arrested.
“He was arrested after making direct threats [against Yishai] and police are not taking any chances whatsoever,” police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld.
Niki had his remand hearing Thursday and was released from custody by the magistrate judge with several conditions:
• Niki must stay at least 100 meters (328 feet) away from Yishai at all times and from the apartment building where Yishai lives.
• Niki may not contact Yishai or Yishai’s family members.
• Niki may not attend Yishai’s political events for the next six months.
Meanwhile, the government has assigned a security detail to guard Yishai – who, Israeli media reported, has received many threats over the past several days, almost all apparently coming from haredi Shas supporters.
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