Violence in Jerusalem
The trio – residents of the central city of Yavneh and the surrounding area aged 17, 25, and 26 – were nabbed during the protest near Jerusalem's Cinema City on Monday.
A Jerusalem teenager was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of involvement in an attack on Monday night on an Arab cab driver in the capital.
The assault came amid a right-wing protest near the Knesset where thousands gathered to counter a demonstration against Israel’s now-paused judicial overhaul.
Police said the teenager was arrested on suspicion of being part of the “serious and violent” attack on the cab driver. The victim was surrounded by right-wing protesters who hurled objects at his vehicle and banged on his window, police said. The driver tried to flee via a nearby gas station, but was then “savagely attacked by the rioters who chased him and caused heavy damage to his car”.
A family member of the suspect lied to police about the 17-year-old’s whereabouts when officers arrived at the home, police said, as the suspect attempted to flee via a balcony. Both the teen and the family member were arrested, according to police, the latter on suspicion of obstructing an investigation and aiding the suspect’s escape attempt.
Police and the Shin Bet security service also gave further details on Tuesday about three people arrested the previous night on suspicion of planning to harm anti-government demonstrators in Jerusalem.
In a statement, the police said the three suspects posted a video to social media in which they voiced their intention to attack anti-overhaul protesters. The video shows three people travelling in a vehicle, with one telling viewers they are on their way to Jerusalem, equipped with guns, knives and eggs.
The trio – residents of the central city of Yavneh and the surrounding area aged 17, 25, and 26 – were nabbed during the protest near Jerusalem’s Cinema City on Monday. A licensed firearm was seized from one of the suspects.
In Monday’s demonstrations, there were other reports of far-right activists attacking anti-government demonstrators, as well as passing Arabs, members of the press and police officers.
A video showed right-wing protesters, waving Israeli and Likud flags, blocking an Arab driver’s path and chanting, “may your village burn.”
Among the pro-overhaul protesters in Jerusalem were dozens of members of the extremist right-wing La Familia group, some of whom were filmed attacking Arab passersby. Members of the group were also blamed for other reported assaults.
A television news team from Channel 13 was also attacked on Monday night during the demonstration. Channel 13 reporter Yossi Eli was hospitalised with a broken rib and suspected damage to his spleen, and cameraman Avi Cashman suffered a head injury.
TIMES OF ISRAEL
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