The Jerusalem police arrested six men on Monday on suspicion on involvement in the brutal attack on 21-year-old Druze student Tommy Hassoun last week. The suspects were brought Jerusalem Magistrate's Court for a hearing on the extension of their remand.
Tommy Hassoun was brutally attacked by a group of Jewish men in Jerusalem on Thursday – reportedly after they heard him speaking Arabic. What Tommy Hassoun's assailants did not know was that they were attacking a young man who had completed his IDF service three months earlier and had recently moved to Jerusalem to study music.
The men, who were wearing skullcaps, hit the 21-year-old Druze student and broke a glass bottle on him. Hassoun was hospitalized suffering from bruises to his face and back of his head.
Related articles:
Hassoun, a musician who grew up in the Druze town of Daliyat al-Karmel near Haifa, had moved to Jerusalem to study at a music academy. For his military service, Hasson had served in a combat unit and later at the President's Residence.
On Sunday, Hassoun posted a message on his Facebook preaching peace and tolerance – despite his ordeal.
“Many people who have never met me asked forgiveness," wrote Hassoun. “I am in a lot of pain, but my head is held high."
President Reuven Rivlin, who knew Hassoun from his IDF service, called the young man's father to express support for the family.
2 View gallery
Hassoun with Rivlin during IDF service. (Photo: President's Residence Spokesman)
(צילום: דוברות בית הנשיא)
On a personal level I believed up until now that this is one nation – I never saw a difference between a Jew and a Druze," said Hassoun's father. "I believed and I will continue to believe in the future that this is the land of the Jewish nation – it has a right to live here."
Tommy's brother, Julian, said: "A month ago two Druze police officers were murdered during terror attacks and now a Druze gets hit by Jews."