Police arrest four linked to Druse-Muslim brawl that saw dozens hurt

The four suspects are all in their 20s and include both Druse and Muslims.

By BEN HARTMAN
Handcuffs [Illustrative] (photo credit: INIMAGE)
Handcuffs [Illustrative]
(photo credit: INIMAGE)
Four Abu Sinan locals were arrested on Monday just days after a brawl between Druse and Muslim residents of the village spun out of control Friday night, leaving 43 people wounded, including many with shrapnel wounds from a grenade thrown during the melee.
The four suspects are all in their 20s and include both Druse and Muslims. They are not suspected of being involved in the grenade throwing.
The investigation of the brawl has been split into two sections. The first is the general violence during the fracas including rock-throwing and the use of knives and sticks, which is being probed by the Acre police. The grenade throwing is being handled as a separate investigation by the district’s special investigative unit, which handles serious investigations including organized crime and crimes involving the use of explosives.
The brawl has been linked to ongoing tension between Muslim and Druse in recent weeks, against the backdrop of the security situation and clashes between Arabs and police and security forces. Druse are heavily represented in the security establishment, a cause of tension between them and Muslims.
A spokesman for council head Nuhad Mishlav, said Saturday that the clash was sparked by a feud between two local men – a Druse and a Muslim – and had nothing to do with Druse-Muslim relations, which he said are peaceful.
Spiritual leader of the Druse community in Israel Sheikh Moafaq Tarif on Monday visited the Western Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya, where many of the wounded are still being treated, and condemned the violence, issuing a call for peace between the two communities.
By early evening on Monday, 14 wounded remained in hospital, including one in a critical condition, one seriously hurt, two moderately wounded, and eight being treated for light injuries.


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