By Yousef M. Aljamal
Two days before his scheduled appearance on twitter, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu was asked some tough questions by social media activists, mainly because of Israel’s occupation polices towards the Palestinian people. What Natanyahu thought would be “A Special Independence Day Live Chat” turned into a number of questions which he had difficulty answering.
Special Independence Day live chat: PM Netanyahu answers your questions.
Tweet your questions now at: #AskNetanyahu pic.twitter.com/1Oixmxio6b— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 10, 2016
Shaimaa Ziara asked why the Israeli army takes Palestinian children as human shields.
Why does your army, the most moral in the world, take children as human sheilds?#AskNetanyahu pic.twitter.com/iqzD8KiiKT
— Shaimaa Ziara (@ShaimaZiara) May 11, 2016
Abbs Wintson questioned Natanyahu on his feelings after his own nephew supported Palestinian rights
#AskNetanyahu How did it feel when your own nephew Jonathan Ben-Artzi refused to be an Occupier & Oppressor? pic.twitter.com/6lIuy8pe2O
— Abbs Winston (@AbbsWinston) May 10, 2016
Daniel Wickham reminded Natanyahu of the 2014 offensive on Gaza when his soldiers, in their own words shot at Palestinians for “fun”.
Why did Israeli soldiers, in their own words, "shoot at random civilian targets, just for fun", during the 2014 Gaza war? #AskNetanyahu
— Daniel Wickham (@DanielWickham93) May 10, 2016
BDS Schweiz-Sussuie wondered if Natanyahu has sleepless nights because of BDS.
Do you have sleepless nights because of #BDS? Netanyahu will answer ALL questions this Thursday 😀 #AskNetanyahu https://t.co/pB0Vsn2vV9
— BDS Schweiz – Suisse (@BDS_switzerland) May 10, 2016
Hend Amry cynically questioned if Natanyahu wanted to create more parking space for Palestinians in Gaza by bombing their houses.
Do you have sleepless nights because of #BDS? Netanyahu will answer ALL questions this Thursday 😀 #AskNetanyahu https://t.co/pB0Vsn2vV9
— BDS Schweiz – Suisse (@BDS_switzerland) May 10, 2016
Blue DuPage asked who Natanyahu preferred killing more – farmers or fishermen.
Farmers or fisherman? Which is your favorite target? #AskNetanyahu
— H.D. Gregg ?? (@HDGregg) May 10, 2016
Kareem Chehayb wanting Natanyahu to describe his siege on Gaza using “three emojis or less”
In 3 emojis or less, how would you describe your illegal siege on Gaza? #AskNetanyahu
— Kareem Chehayeb (@chehayebk) May 10, 2016
Joel Rayner questioning if Natanyahu noticed that he turned Jewish nationalism into a racist ideology.
Do you think anyone will notice you've turned Jewish nationalism into a racist, supremacist ideology?
— joel rayner (@joe_n1nety) May 10, 2016
Elizabeth Tsurkov asked why Israeli soldiers fire at fishermen and farmers although they pose no danger.
#AskNetanyahu Why do Israeli soldiers fire at fishermen & farmers in Gaza's waters & buffer zone although they pose no danger to Israel?
— Elizabeth Tsurkov (@Elizrael) May 10, 2016
M. Lynx Qualey – why does Dareen Tatour continue to be under house arrest for writing poetry?
#AskNetanyahu, why does Dareen Tatour continue to be under house arrest for writing poetry? https://t.co/ND0TrSAhB6
— M. Lynx Qualey (@arablit) May 10, 2016
Tweets which suggest that the night would not be cool and special.
Cool opportunity to interact with Israeli PM Netanyahu on Israel's Independence Day this Thursday. #AskNetanyahu https://t.co/5ezdprb5Br
— Avi Mayer (@AviMayer) May 10, 2016
Palestinians have proven successful in using social media and Israeli politicians would not be able to win yet another social media battle. Many questions were asked, but the biggest question is: would Israel’s Prime Minister answer them honestly or even answer them at all?
– Yousef M. Aljamal is the Palestine Chronicle Correspondent in the Gaza Strip.
