The four suspects in the arson attack that took place near the official residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in September were released to house arrest after a hearing on Sunday, Ma'arach Otef Atzurim, a legal aid group for protester rights, whose staff have been representing the suspects, announced on Sunday afternoon.
The prosecution was set to appeal the decision.
On September 3, an arson attack occurred near the official Balfour residence in the Rehavia neighborhood of Jerusalem. The incident involved the ignition of several trash bins, leading to the destruction of a car and prompting the evacuation of nearby residents. The attack took place during a protest advocating for the return of hostages held by Hamas.
In connection with the arson, four people were arrested and later indicted. The suspects - Lt.-Col. (res.) Amos Doron, 60; Shmuel Reuveni, 61; Eyal Giller, 54; and Mark Foigel, 57, are charged with arson, causing property damage, and obstruction of justice. According to the indictment, the group planned to create a “ring of fire” around the Prime Minister's residence by setting fires at six locations. They organized their activities through an encrypted messaging app, procured combustible materials, and divided tasks among themselves.
During a hearing on September 4, the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court extended Doron's detention by five days. A police representative stated that Doron was disguised when he set fire to the bins.
The incident has sparked public debate over the balance between protest actions and public safety, as well as the legal implications of such acts during times of national tension.
'A criminal plan that was organized and detailed'
During the Sunday hearing, the prosecution had originally said it agreed to release Doron, Reuveni, and Giller to house arrest - but asked to keep Foigel in custody.
Attorney Asaf Swissa, representing the state, said the incident was “a criminal plan that was organized and detailed, not the accidental lighting of a trash bin... This act contains elements of a threat to state security.” The lawyers representing the defendants countered that they are “normative, low-risk individuals,” and their arrest needn’t be extended.