Israel Indicts Jewish Extremists in Deadly Arson Attack

Israel on Sunday indicted two Jewish extremists suspected in a July arson attack on a Palestinian home that killed a toddler and his parents—a case that has been unsolved for months and helped fuel the current wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence.
Israel Indicts Jewish Extremists in Deadly Arson Attack
A Palestinian inspects a house on July 31, 2015, after it was torched in a suspected attack by Jewish settlers, killing an 18-month-old Palestinian child and his parents, at Duma village near the West Bank city of Nablus. Israel on Sunday indicted two Jewish extremists suspected in the attack, a case that has been unsolved for months and helped fuel the current wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence. AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed
The Associated Press
Updated:

JERUSALEM—Israel on Sunday indicted two Jewish extremists suspected in a July arson attack on a Palestinian home that killed a toddler and his parents—a case that has been unsolved for months and helped fuel the current wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence.

The long-awaited indictment follows months of investigations into a web of Jewish extremists operating in the West Bank. The indictment named Amiram Ben-Uliel, a 21-year-old West Bank settler, as the main suspect in the attack. A minor was charged as an accessory.

Yinon Reuveni, 20, and another minor were charged for other violence against Palestinians. All four were charged with belonging to a terrorist organization.

The arson attack in the West Bank village of Duma killed 18-month-old Ali Dawabsheh, while his mother, Riham, and father, Saad, later died of their wounds. Ali’s 4-year-old brother Ahmad survived.

The firebombing, carried out at night while the family slept, sparked soul-searching among Israelis.

It was condemned across the Israeli political spectrum and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged “zero tolerance” in the fight to bring the assailants to justice. Israel has authorized a series of steps, including holding several suspects without charge—a tactic typically used against Palestinian militants—to crack the case.