Pride flags torched in Hod Hasharon, sparking larger fire - report

A young man in Hod Hasharon is suspected of torching LGBTQ Pride flags in the city on Friday, sparking a larger fire in the truck the flags were being carried in, according to the city's mayor, Amir Kochavi.

The municipality has ordered more Pride flags in response to the incident and has filed a complaint with police.

"In the last month we have witnessed incitement for its own sake against education for equality and inclusion, and incitement in disguise, by those who 'only explain' that 'there is already equality and there is no need to hang a flag that offends,'" wrote Kochavi on Facebook. "A flag does not hurt. Deliberate and dangerous arson does."

"On the evening of the 17th of Tammuz, a day remembered for the breaching of the Jerusalem wall which finally led to the destruction of the Second Temple, due to baseless hatred, a violent young man chose a path that no fast would atone for and caused serious damage to property, an immediate danger to human life, and a violent attack on the values of tolerance, diversity and community - our values."

Defense Ministry to conduct exercise on Highway 35 on Sunday afternoon
Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow forces airport closure, Russia says
US condemns shooting of Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe
Israeli man arrested in Albania after trying to leave with undeclared €194,000 - report
IDF Arabic Spokesperson Avichay Adraee issues evacuation notice to residents north of Gaza City
Fire breaks out in Haruvit Forest, not yet contained
France's Armed Forces Minister reaffirms no weapons being sold to Israel
IDF arrests PIJ Jenin Battalion commander during West Bank operation
Twenty live hostages, two undetermined, 33 dead, says Israeli source
North Korea internet hit by a major outage, analyst says