Israel’s Shin Bet internal security service delivered flowers and an interrogation summons to former political prisoner Mahdi Badawneh on his wedding day in Bethlehem.
Attached to the bouquet was a summons for interrogation along with a note reading: “Congratulations from the Captain of Israel’s intelligence service, Shaker”.
This is the second time this year that the Shin Bet has made such a gesture. In August 2021, also in Bethlehem, groom Ahmed Adaween from the Al-Azza refugee camp received a bouquet with a court summons for him and his brother.
Commentators and social media users have likened the gesture to a ‘sadistic’ threat, with others highlighting a pattern of Israeli provocations aimed at demoralising and dehumanising Palestinians in a moment of collective joy.
"The Israeli occupation seemingly doesn't miss a chance to ruin the Palestinians' happiness," wrote one Twitter user.