A number of Jews and Arabs who were involved in nationalistic attacks in Wadi Ara and Herzliya during a wave of riots that swept across Israel during Operation Guardian of the Walls were arrested recently, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and police said on Thursday.
Three Arab-Israeli suspects were arrested in a joint operation by Israel Police and the Shin Bet on suspicion of carrying out a shooting attack from a passing vehicle against an Israeli citizen near the village of Zalafa in Wadi Ara last month.
The civilian managed to hide and was not injured. The three suspects planned and carried out the shooting attack while they were driving in a vehicle without a license plate, and also participated in a number of violent riots in several locations in May.
The three were indicted in the Haifa District Court on Thursday, and a request was filed to seize the vehicle used in the attack.
Another two Arab-Israelis were arrested by the Shin Bet and Israel Police in recent weeks on suspicion of carrying out nationalist lynchings in Kafr Kara against Jewish Israelis. The two were also involved in violent riots across the country in May, including stone-throwing at security forces, vandalizing public property, burning tires and firing fireworks.
One of the suspects, Muhammad Hamarsha, was linked to an attack on a Jewish Israeli on May 11 near Kafr Kara. The victim suffered injuries and his vehicle was damaged.
Another suspect, Abu Rashad, was found to have been involved in an attack on a Jewish family who accidentally drove into Kafr Kara on May 12. The family’s vehicle was hit by a barrage of stones, and rioters attempted to open the doors of the car and injure the occupants.
Seven Jewish Israelis were arrested for suspected involvement in a nationalistic attack against a 61-year-old Arab-Israeli next to a mosque in Herzliya last month.
The victim, Ghassan Haj Yahya, a resident of Taiba, was moderately injured after a group of masked suspects attacked him near the Sidna Ali Mosque, pepper-spraying him and stabbing him with a sharp object.
“I was dead,” Yahya told KAN news. “I am still afraid to go to Netanya and Kfar Saba. I was attacked by 30 insane people, with hatred in their eyes, with stones, batons and pepper spray. How would you feel when you are alone? How do I feel? I am in shock.”
The announcement of the arrests came after a month-long investigation.
The seven suspects were arrested for a nationalistically motivated attack, and indictments are expected to be issued in the coming days. The prosecution is expected to request the suspects remain in custody until the end of the proceedings.
“The Shin Bet will continue to act resolutely to thwart terrorism and bring to justice all those who take part in terrorist attacks,” the agency announced.
The lynch took place amid Arab and Jewish riots across the country, during which a number of nationalistic attacks were reported against both Jews and Arabs.