Shin Bet: Reports of plans to retaliate against Arabs unfounded
Investigation invalidates reports that right-wing activists are conspiring to kill Arabs in order to avenge Mercaz Harav yeshiva terror attack
Reports of plans for a retaliatory attack against Israeli Arabs following the terror attack at Mercaz Harav yeshiva are unfounded, the Shin Bet stated Saturday.
The Shin Bet had been investigating reports that such attacks were being planned by right-wing Jews as revenge for the shooting attack at Jerusalem that left eight students dead, but found those reports to be untrue.
Security sources said that the probe had been given precedence, in light of the rising tensions among Israel's Arab public after reports of a possible retribution have been published.
However, and despite the absence of concrete intelligence about a retaliatory attack, the threat of an attempted vendetta still stands and security forces continue to regard it as a sensitive issue.
On Thursday, Head of the Islamic Movement's Northern Branch Sheikh Raed Salah claimed he had received credible reports that right-wing elements were planning to assassinate him.
Other Arab leaders blamed the Israeli establishment Saturday for promoting the assassination of Arabs by endorsing incitement against the sector.
