Four teenagers – residents of Arad, Beit El, and another community in the southern West Bank – were caught on camera fleeing the scene after allegedly setting fire to a café in the town of Dura, near Hebron.
The suspects allegedly spray-painted "revenge" on the door to the establishment. The incident occurred some two weeks ago; the police and Shin Bet claimed that the price tag attack was a response to an arson case in a structure within a settlement near Beit El.
Four suspects escaping through wadi
On Thursday morning, the suspects arrived in Jerusalem's juvenile court for deliberations on an extension of their arrests. The court is expected to make a ruling by Monday. The four teenagers have denied any involvement in the incident.
The video shows four masked teenagers wearing tzitizit, fleeing through a wadi that passes through an olive tree orchard. Later they are seen removing their masks, likely to plan the rest of the escape.
Footage of price tag suspects
The indictment, filed last week with the court, claimed that on August 18, at 5:30 am, the four suspects left Beit El and headed towards the Palestinian town. "As a result of the suspects' actions, a fire was sparked that burned down the couches and arm chairs, as well as part of the fabric covering the year."
The indictment claimed the motive for the attack was racism. The investigation was conducted with the cooperation of Shin Bet and Jerusalem District police.
The lawyer representing some of the suspects claimed that the police did not investigate an arson incident inside a hilltop outpost the day before the alleged price tag attack. "Without addressing a specific case, the police's treatment of juvenile offenses has become more problematic by the day."
The defense attorney warned that "if they are not release this Monday, we will appeal to the High Court of Justice."