Three of the suspects
Photo: Shin Bet
Shin Bet arrests Israeli Arabs suspected of rioting
Five East Jerusalem residents indicted for numerous incidents of stone and Molotov cocktail throwing; two minors accused of setting fire to bus, luring police forces by blocking streets, cutting off power.
Five Israeli Arabs from East Jerusalem were arrested on the suspicion they were involved in many incidents of stone and firebomb throwing at both security forces and civilians, the Shin Bet said on Monday.
The violent rioting took place near the Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olive at the Ras al-Amud neighborhood in East Jerusalem, where the suspects reside.
Two brothers, Aslam and Hamza Najar, 18 and 22 years old respectively, were arrested in October. After further investigation, the Shin Bet also arrested 22-year-old Nader Nasser and two minors aged 16 and 17.
Three of the suspects (left to right): Nader Nasser, Aslam Najar and Hamza Najar (Photo: Shin Bet)
The interrogation of the minors also found that, in addition to being involved in violent rioting, on September 17, 2015, the two took part in the arson of an Egged bus that happened upon clashes in Ras al-Amud. The two hurled Molotov cocktails and stones at the bus, along with others from a local group.
The two minors said that after the bus driver fled, they poured gasoline on the front end of the bus and set it on fire, burning it completely.
The bus on fire in Ras al-Amud (Photo: Jerusalem Fire and Rescue)
The interrogation also found that the rioters used to block off streets using trash containers and cut off the electricity in the area in order to lure police forces to them and attack the troops with Molotov cocktails.
So far, five indictments have been filed against the suspects on charges of arson attempts, arson, rioting, attempted assault of a police officer, aggravated battery, and more. Additional indictments against other suspects are expected in the future.
