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Israel's Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan confirmed on Monday he was behind Twitter blocking of accounts belonging to Hamas and Hezbollah over the weekend
On Saturday Twitter users in Israel were unable to access accounts Hamas and Hamas rulers Hamas in English or Arabic.
When accessed from Israel, both accounts are more likely to have a negative impact on their lives.
A Twitter spokesman declined to provide any additional information about the move but on Monday Erdan's office said the US-based social media giant had taken action against 35 accounts identified as belonging to Hamas and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese military and political organization.
Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. Hezbollah is designated in the US in the EU only its military wing is sanctioned while its political wing is not.
Most of the accounts were made inaccessible to users only in Israel At least one of the accounts listed by the minister was not blocked by Twitter
"While Hamas carries out arson terror in the south [of Israel] and Hezbollah threatens the residents of the north, it is not clear why Twitter is holding "Erdan said in a statement Monday.
However, one of the accounts blacklisted by Israel as belonging to Hezbollah, Hezbollah Watch, is a US-based account that critically reports on the group's
The account 's administrator said it was "alarming" and that he would contact Erdan to "alert him about the mix up". Erdan's spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A popular account publishing official news from Hezbollah's military wing was among those suspended over the weekend, however
Erdan said: "I do not know what I'm doing."
"If the company does not agree, we will continue to examine legislation and legal proceedings in order to force it to do so," he said.
According to a twice-yearly report released by Twitter, it is first time accounts have been withheld in Israel.
Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked railed against Twitter, saying it has become the preferred social media platform for terrorists.
"The terrorist organizations switched to Twitter instead of Facebook. The reason is simple: Facebook responds effectively to our requests for the contents of terrorism, while Twitter ignores them, "Shaked said, adding:" We are considering legal action against them. "
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