LONDON: A well-known ultra-Orthodox Israeli journalist has gone into hiding following a violent attack on his home by a far-right Israeli mob.
The attack was a response to his expressions of solidarity with Palestinians enduring bombardment in Gaza.
On Saturday night, a crowd of far-right Israelis surrounded the home of Israel Frey, firing flares into the sky and issuing death threats.
Frey, a contributor to both Israeli and Arab media outlets, had openly criticized Israeli policies in the Gaza Strip, where air strikes have claimed the lives of over 2,750 Palestinians in the span of 10 days.
He also recited the Kaddish, a Jewish mourners’ prayer, for the women and children of Gaza, sharing it in a video posted on social media.
According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the reporter was assaulted late Saturday night at his home in Tel Aviv.
The attackers were identified by Frey as ultra-Orthodox followers of the far-right Rabbi Meir Kahane, the founder of the ultranationalist group Kahane Chai, who accused Frey of treason.
Frey and his family were only taken to safety by the police after a few hours.
During the evacuation, Frey alleged that a police officer intentionally spat on him and accused him of supporting Hamas.
The Israeli police later denied the allegations.
Frey was also confronted by the protesters at the hospital but managed to evade the scene with help from a friend.
Both Middle East Eye and Haaretz confirmed that Frey has gone into hiding, fearing further retaliation.
Frey, a left-wing Haredi journalist, has been a divisive figure within Israel due to his political stances and vocal support of the Palestinian cause.
In December, he was arrested (and later released) on suspicion of inciting Palestinian terrorism and violence in a post on social media after failing to show up for police questioning five times.
The attack on Frey’s home coincided with Israel’s consideration of suppressing critical voices regarding its policies and actions in the war in Gaza.
Both critical media organizations and anti-Zionist Jewish citizens have faced heightened threats.
