The Petach Tikvah Magistrate’s Court has extended the remand of the PA (Palestinian Authority) resident suspected in the arson attack against a home serving as a Rosh Ha’ayin daycare center. Police claim that the video surveillance that they have gathered confirm the arson allegations, which the suspect denies. The suspect’s lawyer insists the confession was beaten out of him by police.

The court on Sunday, extended the suspect’s remand by an additional four days to permit police to continue gathering evidence towards filing an indictment. The suspect, 18, has a criminal past and has been jailed for arson in the past. Police are still working to determine if he was acting on his own or was sent my someone, possibly one of the parents of children in the center as the caretaker has been indicted on 11 counts of abuse of the children in her care. Parents protested on Sunday outside the Petach Tikvah court.

Police requested extending the suspect’s remand for an additional eight days, but the court compromised with four. The suspect’s attorney demanded holding the hearing behind closed doors, with no outsiders or press. The defense attorney discussed his client being assaulted by police at the time of his arrest, resulting in injury. An official complaint has been filed with the Justice Ministry’s Police Investigation Unit.

Police report that camera evidence supports accusations the fire was started between 5:00AM-6:00AM on Shabbos, July 6th, and the suspect’s cellphone was found at the scene. Police would not state if additional arrests are suspected.

Police are now probing towards determining if a parent of children cared for in the ‘Baby L’Av Center’ ordered the arson attack after the caretaker was charged with counts of abuse against the children in her charge. She, Muada Begin, faces an 18-count indictment in the Lod District Court, for allegedly abusing 11 toddlers and babies in her care. This includes tying their hands together and slamming them to the ground.

Three ignition points were found at the site of the fire. Public defender Roi Lang is defending the suspect.

PM Netanyahu commented, “About daycare centers. I also saw the harsh and upsetting pictures from the daycare centers; it is clear that a complete change is needed. It is on the way. Our colleague, Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton has submitted two laws that will take effect in September. They will bring about proper and necessary oversight, including cameras in the centers.

“I will ask the Social Welfare Minister and the Education Minister to see what else we can do to ensure that these shocking cases do not recur. There is one thing we cannot do: We cannot set fire to the daycare provider’s house. This cannot be done. This is inconceivable. We are not prepared to accept violence, not here and not regarding our Ethiopian brothers and sisters. We will not allow the country to sink into anarchy. Protest is legitimate, but violence never is”.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)