The extremist Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, ordered police to take strict measures against Arabs celebrating the release of prisoners. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority said that Ben-Gvir banned any celebrations, even if this meant the use of force against their families and the gathering. The minister ordered Police Chief Kobi Shabtai to investigate the celebrations held following the release of Palestinian prisoner Karim Younis. Younis was released over the weekend after 40 years behind bars. Ben-Gvir urged the police to use force and try to remove the "victory" or "support" banners and the tents that would host the festivities. The meeting also addressed the judicial complexities regarding the removal of tents on private or public land after the Israeli police refrained from storming an area belonging to the Younis family. The Israeli prosecution warned that the matter would be illegal. Last Sunday, Ben-Gvir asked Shabtai to open an investigation into the public ceremonies that took place after the release of Younis. Ben Gvir's office issued a statement that his instructions to ban tents for celebrations to welcome Younis were "only partially fulfilled." The former prisoner's family hosted a party attended by many people, including Palestinian Authority officials. The minister ordered Shabtai to find out why his instructions were not met. "Such celebrations are incitement and explicit support of terrorism, and it does not make sense for them to happen in our country," claimed the extremist Ben-Gvir. "Israel has no place for celebrations of terrorism, and I will do all within my authority to prevent these celebrations until we legislate for the death penalty for terrorism." However, Younis was warmly greeted by friends and family in Ara and gave interviews with Arabic-language media on Thursday and over the weekend. As a result, Ben-Gvir instructed the police on Sunday to remove Palestinian flags from public spaces. The two prisoners, Maher and Karim Younes, from Ara, killed Israeli soldier Avraham Bromberg in 1980. Karim was released last week, and Maher is set to be released on Jan. 17. Meanwhile, former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said he was concerned that Ben-Gvir was "bringing us closer to a third intifada." In statements broadcast by Israeli media, Lapid believed that Ben-Gvir's actions might lead to clashes. According to Lapid, the security establishment is concerned about such behavior. He warned that Ben-Gvir’s policies in Israel would harm the relationship with the US administration.