Netanyahu condemns West Bank mosque attack as 'criminal act'
Mosque in village near Ramallah torched and sprayed with graffiti; Defense Minister Barak echoes PM's condemnation and says IDF will take steps to catch the perpetrators.
By Barak Ravid and Chaim Levinson Tags: West Bank Israel crime Israel settlers Benjamin Netanyahu Ehud BarakPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday condemned the suspected 'price tag' attack by settlers of a mosque in Maghayer village near Ramallah, calling it a "criminal act".
An initial investigation has shown that in the early morning hours of Tuesday the settlers rolled burning tires into the mosque, which caused some rugs to catch fire. The mosque was also sprayed with graffiti.
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The damaged mosque in Maghayer, June 2011 |
| Photo by: David Bachar |
"I hope the arsonists will be located as soon as possible and will be punished accordingly," Netanyahu said, adding "this is a criminal act that is meant to provoke."
The prime minister emphasized Israel's commitment to freedom of expression, saying "Freedom of religion is a core tenet of the State of Israel, and we will take action against anyone who attempts to go against this principle."
Defense Minister Ehud Barak echoed the prime minister's condemnations, instructing the Israel Defense Forces and other security forces to take whatever steps necessary to catch the perpetrators of the attack.
"This deplorable act is detrimental to peace," Barak said. The defense minister expressed confidence that security forces would bring the arsonists to justice.
The village in which the attack took place is located near the Alei Ayin outpost, where the Israeli security forces demolished illegal structures last week. The police is investigating whether the two events are linked.
Civil rights organizations have spoken out against the arson as well. Rabbis for Human Rights said Tuesday that this kind violence threatens everyone and may backfire. "This despicable act goes against human morality and our Jewish belief that we must not harm followers of different religion," the organization said in a statement.
The Peace Now movement responded by calling for more decisive actions against violent settlers. "The Shin Bet security service and the police must uproot the 'hill youth' phenomenon," it said.
This condemnation has not, however, been universal. Rightist activist Itamar Ben-Gvir said the arson doesn't come as a surprise. "In the last few months Jewish blood has been spilled like water in Judea and Samaria," he said. "Instead of dealing with enemies, the police tears down one outpost after another. The feelings of anger and discrimination have their consequences."
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They must be prosecuted to the fullest extend the law permits . We are Jews not.......
Mr. Prime Minister, you came before the Congress and bragged about the equal rights the Arabs in Israel have. Let's see how quickly you apprehend these Jewish terrorists who torched to mosque and if they actually serve any time in prison. Let's see if you are a real leader or else if you are too afraid of the right wing settlers whose support you grovel after to have the rule of law prevail in Israel.
palestinians attacking a synagogue I am pretty sure arrest had already been made! Now it will be investigated, maybe some settlers will be questioned but I won't hold my breath for a proper trial and punishment....
right after they make complete financial restitution and apologize, yes apologize to those who attend that mosque. Get serious about abuses like this !
and some hotheads spray paint on a mosque in return. What is this sensitivity anyway - hooligans vandalise a mosque - other hooligan vandalise synagogues all the time and all over the world. Are they ever caught and punished? Maybe now is the time to think about the significance of religious symbols and the degree to which damage to them causes such violent reactions. Religion - and its followers - has a lot to answer for. The world would ,undoubtedly, be a better place without it
The IDF are being called upon to find people who commit arson. Are they goin g to shoot Jewish setteleres this time?
This is the effect on us after 44 years of the occuption. It has made us begin acting like this and warping our definition of Zionism. End the occuptation now--for Israel's sake.
Another proof that religion makes people fanatical and is bad for you. Religion like meditation is supposed to provide a spiritual uplift to make you happy and have a purpose in life (a good one) and love others. However if it is turning you into a fundamental fanatic who hates other to the poit of wanting to kill, burn, maime in the name of religion then move away from it as it is not for you..sorry!
which had not existed without settlers and of whichthose who have let settle are accomplices.
Since the use of the word terror is frequent when it comes to any such acts coming from the Palestinian side, it should have been labeled as terror attack this time as well. Right Mr. Prime Minister?
talked to let alone actually thrown in prison.. It is forbidden by Israeli customs to ever punish an Israeli that harms an Arab. I feel confident this will all be forgotten in Israel within two news cycles (of course the Palestinians will just add it to their growing list)
The IDF will find these people after they take a nap, or have dinner, or maybe later if they get around to it.
but if it's done by Arabs, they are Terrorists by definition. including Arab drivers who make car accidents.
This is a shameful act of terror done by extremist Israelis. Glad the government (and the Israeli public) condemn such acts. And I loosely use the term "terror". If we're talking about terror acts, it is a terror act. If we're talking about the grand scale of terror acts, this is on the low end (i.e. no one killed)
Pathetic. As if they are saying: This is not the work and will of the government. We will shoot terrorists, but not set mosques on fire." Listen: enough with these populist condemnations. Should the ministers condemn all crimes that are committed? Well, that wouldl keep them and media very busy. This attack was a crime period. No need for condemnations, but a strong need for tougher action against all criminals and terrorists.
This maybe meant as a provocation, but whomever fits the shoe may put it on.there is so much killing around, that to me this is minor.
Settlers caught for a "price tag" action? Has never happened.
Or you could call it terrorism.
This is not just a criminal act it is a terrorist attack. However, I will give Barak and Netanayahu credit as their condemnation is clear. But call it what is it... Terrorism!
The real problem. One that will not be resolved by Netanyahu's empty words but when all illegal settlements are finally gone. And that joyous occasion boys and girls is but three months away.
What's good for the goose.....
If this happened to a synagogue, we would not hear the end of it. Cries of anti-antisemitism would fill the world. I'd like those who fight most to eradicate racist behavior to shout now. Anti-antisemitism is not worse than burning a mosque because it is Muslim.. Israeli politics is making youth write things like "you will disappear". It seems the Israelis want to throw us into the sea. Muslim Spain from the Dark Ages seems to be a more politically correct society than the modern Jewish state. It will be part of your history. How could a society who understands the magnitude to racist behavior complain about another racist behavior! If Jews want antisemitism to stop, they have to start teaching their children that they are not better than others.
Who is he fooling? Netanyahu or Barak for that matter condemning the terrible act on the mosque is laughable. Netanyahu's sincerity or any words of support towards anything and anyone Palestinian cannot be taken seriously. He has shown his true face and intentions to the world and I am sure he will not lose any sleep over a mosque being attacked.
What would you have him do? Cut himself to make you believe him? Please what more do PA officials say when their brothers fire rockets at children daily??
You tend to hear a few Israeli politicians making the noises they have to, and then it all seems to go quiet.
The police claim that the "hilltop youth" who are the most likely suspects are disciplined enough to not say anything when they are brought in for questioning and no evidence is ever found. I am sure that thorough searches are made. The Palestinians are not allowed weapons or the complex security systems that the settlers have so the miscreants are never caught in the act. Just another case of blind justice.
I doubt very much that the security forces or the police will find the cultprits like other investigations have so far. PMs condemnation whilst welcomed, is just for publicity and nothing more.
There would be dead PEOPLE, and they would be removing blood stains from the walls and carpet instead of some ash...
We don't expect condemnation from Netanyahu. We expect action.