Israeli singer Efraim Shamir has been brought in for questioning by the Israel Police national crime unit Lahav 443, the police announced on Wednesday.
Shamir, famous for his work in the popular Israeli rock band Kaveret, is believed to be under suspicion of incitement of terrorism and violence against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaking to Maariv, Shamir’s lawyer, Yair Nehorai, said that his client denies the accusations and is against violence of any kind.
Some reports have alleged that Shamir made a post on social media about Netanyahu, saying, “A lying son of a liar must die.” Nehorai said they would respond to these accusations after Shamir is finished speaking with the police.
A history of controversy on social media
Speaking to Ynet, Shamir said he didn’t know why he was being questioned.
The singer is known for his controversial and argumentative social media posts and openly negative view of Netanyahu and the current government.
For example, in 2019, when Nechama Rivlin, the wife of then-president Reuven Rivlin, passed away, Shamir posted on social media, “Why not Sara?” in reference to the prime minister’s wife Sara Netanyahu.
Speaking to Ynet, he suggested there may be a connection between his online activity and his being called in for questioning.
“It may be because of posts on Facebook, but I really don’t know,” he told Ynet.