Police indict three Gilad Farm residents for price-tag attacks

The suspects involved in November price tag attacks, admit to torching of vehicles, graffiti.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF
Vandalism in price tag attack in village of Far'ata, Nov. 19, 2013 (photo credit: RABBIS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS‏)
Vandalism in price tag attack in village of Far'ata, Nov. 19, 2013
(photo credit: RABBIS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS‏)
Three residents of the West Bank outpost Gilad Farm were indicted for allegedly executing price tag attacks against Palestinians, according to information that the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and the police published Wednesday.
“All their activities were performed out of nationalist motives and out of hostility toward the Arab public,” read the indictment for hate crimes that was submitted to the Central District Court.
The indictment focused on an incident on November 19, 2013, in which the three men entered the Palestinian village of Far’ata in the middle of the night and allegedly torched two vehicles, located in a residential area. They also allegedly spray-painted a number of Stars of David on walls in the village.
The investigation was conducted by the Shin Bet, Israel Police and the Judea and Samaria police’s division for nationalistic crimes.
The investigators uncovered additional information indicating that the three men – Yehuda Landsberg, Binyamin Richter and Yehuda Sabir – could have been involved in illegal and violent activity against the Palestinian village of Madama.
Both villages as well as the Gilad Farm outpost are located in the Samaria region of the West Bank.
The Shin Bet said that in that area, there had been an increase in price tag attacks against Palestinian property and mosques.
It added that the security forces take the issue of price tag attacks very seriously both because people and property are harmed, but also because it inflames tensions in the region. Crucial resources needed to protect residents of Judea and Samaria are diverted to deal with the phenomenon, the Shin Bet said.
It also provided information about the men. Both Landsberg and Richter were described as extreme right-wing activists with a history of involvement in illegal and violent activity against Palestinians and their property, according to the Shin Bet.
Landsberg, born 1989, is married and the father of three children. Police investigated him and arrested him a number of times, but was released each time for lack of evidence, according to the Shin Bet.
Richter, born 1991, is single. Police arrested and interrogated Richter a number of times. In 2013, he was indicted for a serious assault against two Palestinians in Samaria. As a result, his movement was seriously restricted so as to reduce the danger that he posed, according to the Shin Bet.
Sabir, born 1992, is single and an army deserter, according to the Shin Bet.
Landsberg, whom police arrested on January 19, confessed to arson and vandalism, and incriminated Richter and Sabir, who were arrested and brought in for questioning on the 25th. Sabir also incriminated both of his partners.
But Richter invoked his right to silence and has refused to cooperate with the investigation, according to the Shin Bet.