State prosecutors on Wednesday filed an indictment at Jerusalem District Court against Israel Harpaz, 19, of Ma’alot-Tarshiha, accusing him of taking part in an organized, racially motivated riot that included assaults, arson, and widespread property damage in the Palestinian village of Jaba, allegedly carried out in retaliation after the evacuation of an illegal outpost last November.
According to the indictment, the events unfolded after security forces dismantled the outpost Tzur Misgavi, prompting dozens of individuals, including Harpaz, to gather – in what investigators describe as a planned act of revenge.
Prosecutors allege that Harpaz participated in a briefing during which those present were instructed to turn off their mobile phones, conceal their identities by wearing face coverings, and travel in a convoy of vehicles to the village of Jaba, with the intent of harming Palestinians and damaging property.
The indictment states that Harpaz subsequently powered down his phone, masked himself, and drove masked individuals in his vehicle as part of the convoy toward the village, where rioters allegedly exited the cars and began carrying out acts of violence.
During the riot, stones were thrown at homes and vehicles, windows were smashed, and cars and other property were set ablaze, the indictment says. In one instance, a Molotov cocktail was allegedly thrown at a residence while members of a family were inside. Additional acts included the spraying of racist graffiti throughout the village and damage to surveillance cameras and structures.
Prosecutors say that several civilians were injured in the violence and that extensive damage was caused to private property, including the burning of vehicles, storage facilities, and other equipment.
Teenager charged with racist motives for violent actions
The indictment charges Harpaz with offenses that include rioting resulting in damage motivated by racism, malicious damage to property committed jointly by two or more people and motivated by racism, aggravated assault committed jointly and motivated by racism, and arson committed jointly.
Alongside the filing of the indictment, prosecutors requested that Harpaz’s existing restrictive conditions be extended as proceedings move forward.