Israel Frei Ignites Fury in Israel After He Celebrates IDF Soldiers' Deaths
Frei’s post celebrating the deaths of five young IDF soldiers has turned public grief into national fury—and could land him in court.
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A single post on X by Israel Frei, a left-wing Israeli activist and journalist, has unleashed a torrent of outrage across Israel, exposing the raw nerves of a nation embroiled in its 21st month of war with Hamas.
On Tuesday morning, hours after five Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb attack in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza, Frei wrote: “The world is a better place this morning without the five young men who participated in the most brutal crimes against humanity.”
He added a provocative plea to Israeli mothers: “Don’t let your sons be the next to return in a coffin.” The statement, accusing the fallen of war crimes and seemingly celebrating their deaths, was met with swift condemnation, a police investigation, and a renewed debate over the limits of free speech in wartime.
A Polarizing Figure
Frei, 42, is no stranger to controversy. A freelance journalist with a modest but vocal following on X (@freyisrael1), he has carved out a niche as a radical critic of Israel’s military and political establishment. His posts often amplify allegations of IDF abuses in Gaza and the West Bank, drawing from sources like *Haaretz* and international human rights reports.
Positioning himself as a defender of Palestinian rights, Frei has accused Israel of perpetuating an “illegitimate regime” that “sows death and destruction.” His rhetoric, however, frequently veers into inflammatory territory, alienating even some left-wing allies. “Frei’s not just critiquing policy—he’s spitting on the sacrifices of our soldiers,” said one X user, echoing a common sentiment among his detractors.
The Beit Hanoun Tragedy
The soldiers—Staff Sgt. Meir Shimon Amar, 21; Sgt. Moshe Nissim Frech, 19; Staff Sgt. Noam Aharon Musgadian, 20; Sgt. First Class (res.) Benyamin Asulin, 24; and Staff Sgt. Moshe Shmuel Noll, 22—died on July 7 in one of the deadliest attacks on Israeli forces this year. Four served in the ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda Battalion of the Kfir Brigade. The IDF operation in Beit Hanoun, a Hamas stronghold near Sderot, aimed to dismantle a fortified compound used for tunnel operations. A series of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), followed by gunfire, killed the five and wounded 14 others, two critically.
Frei’s post, accusing the soldiers of “crimes against humanity,” appeared to reference allegations against Netzah Yehuda, including reported incidents of excessive force in Gaza. But his blanket condemnation, coupled with the timing—hours after the soldiers’ families were notified—struck many as unconscionable. “These were kids doing their duty, ambushed by terrorists,” wrote Beit Shemesh Mayor Shmuel Greenberg, mourning Noll as a hero of dedication. On X, users lambasted Frei for ignoring Hamas’s tactics, like using civilians as shields, while glorifying the soldiers’ deaths.
Swift Official Response
By Tuesday afternoon, Israel Police announced an investigation into Frei for incitement to terrorism. A joint team from the Ministry of National Security and the police’s Investigations and Intelligence Division expedited recommendations to the State Attorney’s Office, which promptly approved the probe. In a statement, the police and ministry vowed to “act in accordance with the policy of Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Police Commissioner Danny Levy, taking a firm and uncompromising stance against anyone who expresses incitement or support for the enemy.” Ben-Gvir, a far-right figure known for his hardline stance, has pushed for stricter measures against perceived threats to national unity, making Frei’s case a high-profile test of those policies.
A History of Provocation
Frei’s July 8 post is not his first brush with infamy. On May 29, 2024, he posted on X: “Every Israeli with a shred of integrity must admit: their deaths were in vain. Not heroes, not defenders of the homeland, they contributed nothing to anyone, if anything the opposite, possible war criminals in the service of an illegitimate regime that sows death and destruction, buries the hostages, and brings ruin on our neighbors and ourselves. Leave Gaza, refuse.”
The post, dismissing fallen soldiers and calling for draft refusal, drew sharp criticism for its insensitivity and perceived betrayal of national values. Earlier, in January 2024, Frei described IDF operations in Gaza as “genocide,” a charge that provoked accusations of antisemitism and prompted calls for his arrest. His consistent use of terms like “war criminals” to describe IDF personnel has cemented his reputation as a lightning rod, with critics arguing he selectively ignores Hamas’s documented atrocities.
The police investigation has intensified debates over free speech. His words cross into dangerous incitement. “Free speech doesn’t mean celebrating dead soldiers,” one X user wrote. Frei’s post racked up thousands of views before it was flagged for review.
As the investigation unfolds, Frei faces potential charges that could carry significant penalties under Israel’s anti-incitement laws. The controversy has thrust him into the national spotlight, galvanizing his many detractors. In a nation mourning its fallen, Israel Frei has crossed another red line, and Israel will never forgive him.