Israel: Facebook says threats to kill Netanyahu came from ‘fake profile’

The social media giant says the account registered under Dana Ron, who threatened to ‘put a bullet’ in PM’s head, is fictitious; Netanyahu doubles down, saying the media ‘whitewashes’ incitement against him

Facebook officials said Thursday that a death threat made against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had come from an account opened under a fake profile.

Netanyahu on Wednesday tweeted a screenshot of a Facebook post, threatening to “put a bullet in his head”. The post was published by an account registered under a woman named Dana Ron. Ynet’s sister publication Calcalist, made an inquiry to Facebook about the account.

The social media giant said following the examination of the profile, it appears the account is fictitious and will therefore be removed. The prime minister, however, doubled down on the claims, saying he has launched a police complaint and authorities are already looking for the suspect. “If this is an anonymous account run by elements calling for the assassination of the prime minister, the matter is no less serious,” said one of prime minister’s associates.

“The police must locate him, bring him to justice and act resolutely against dozens of incitement posts and murder threats against the prime minister and his family, posted on a daily basis,” said the statement.

“Ephraim Shamir, who called for the assassination of the prime minister, is not anonymous, as are other people who have been questioned by the police.”The statement accused the media of “whitewashing” the incitement against the Israeli leader instead of condemning it. Ynetnews