Israeli authorities have arrested several youths in connection with an arson attack that killed a Palestinian toddler and his parents.
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“In the last few days security forces arrested youngsters that are suspected in belonging to a Jewish terror organization and in conducting terror acts”, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said in a statement on Thursday.
Eighteen-month-old Ali Saad Dawabsha and his parents were killed in the firebombing. His 4-year-old brother Ahmad is being treated in an Israeli hospital. Earlier this month, Israel’s defense minister had said Jewish extremists were involved, but that there was not enough evidence to prosecute.
An EU executive said November 11 that agricultural and cosmetic products exported from Israeli settlements disputed by the Palestinians must be labeled with that distinction, rather than a generic “made in Israel” marking.
Since the start of October, 104 people have been killed on the Palestinian side, including an Arab Israeli, while 17 Israelis, an American and an Eritrean have died.
Nonetheless, Israeli officials led by the Prime Minister are denouncing the decision as discriminatory, bordering on anti-Semitic, citing continued violence precipitated by Palestinians in recent months. He was shot dead at the scene.
Tensions have also been stoked by disputes over access to a Jerusalem holy site revered by Jews and Muslims and other issues at the heart of the now-frozen Israeli-Palestinian peace process, from failed negotiations to Israeli settlements on occupied land that Palestinians seek for a independent state. The military identified the man as Raeb Ahmed Muhammad Alivi, in his late 30s.
Israel recently resumed its policy of destroying the homes of Palestinians accused of carrying out attacks.
The announcement of the arrests comes as Israel faced mounting pressure to bring the attackers to justice, with a UN Middle East envoy on Wednesday expressing concern over the “slow progress” in the probe. Their four young children in the back of the auto escaped unharmed.
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The demolitions are a part of a series of punitive measures being carried out by the Israel to “deter” future attacks.
