Police arrest 6 Israelis for rioting near entrance to capital over Duma interrogations

Demonstrators demand due process, legal representation amid allegations of torture over deadly West Bank arson attack.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
Updated: DECEMBER 22, 2015 00:44
RASHID DAWABSHA stands outside his son Mamoun’s torched home in the Arab village Duma on Sunday (photo credit: TOVAH LAZAROFF)
RASHID DAWABSHA stands outside his son Mamoun’s torched home in the Arab village Duma on Sunday
(photo credit: TOVAH LAZAROFF)
Hundreds of Israelis demonstrated in the capital Sunday night alleging that three young West Bank settlers are being subjected to inhumane interrogations by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) over their purported roles in a July terrorist arson attack in Duma that killed three Palestinians.
At approximately 10:30 p.m., police said that over 300 demonstrators had gathered near the city’s western entrance by the Bridge of Strings, and proceeded to block a main artery, demanding that the three suspected Jewish terrorists be afforded due process and legal representation.
“They held an illegal demonstration, and at one point blocked the main road and police responded,” police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said on Monday, adding that there were isolated incidents of rock throwing, although no one was injured.
Using non-lethal crowd dispersal methods, including tear gas, he said that six adults and minors were taken into custody for taking part in the disturbance. Normal traffic resumed shortly thereafter, Rosenfeld said.
During the demonstration, Rabbi Dov Lior, of Hebron and Kiryat Arba, condemned the Shin Bet for allegedly torturing the youths to the point where one of the suspects has attempted suicide.
“It cannot be that Jews are cruel to Jews,” he said according to Arutz Sheva.
“Cruelty is being allowed to run rampant. There are people who feel the pain of their brothers. We are blessed that we have a healthy generation of young people like this.”
Multiple reports claiming that the three youths have been denied legal consultation and medical treatment after being beaten have been mounting for weeks.
The demonstration followed the release of an audio tape purportedly revealing torture practices, including pummelings, burnings, and being kept awake all night.
The Shin Bet has denied any wrongdoing. Moreover, it recently claimed that it has made “significant progress” in its intensive investigation into the murders of three members of the Dawabsha family – an 18-month-old toddler and his parents.
Shortly after the attack, which resulted in international condemnation, the security cabinet authorized the Shin Bet to use “all means at their disposal” to find the perpetrators of the firebombing.