Police during the night motzei Shabbos the eve of 25 Tammuz made arrests in the ongoing investigation into an arson attack in the Church of the Multiplication on the northwest shore of the Kinneret. The ongoing investigation involves Israel Police and agents of the ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet). The attack was dubbed another ‘price tag’ attack because of the graffiti found at the scene.

Honenu reports that three youths were taken into custody by the ISA and a gag order has been placed on most details of the ongoing investigation. The suspects were arraigned on Sunday in a Nazareth court. Attorneys Adi Kedar and Aaron Rosa will be representing the suspects. They filed urgent petitions with the Jerusalem Magistrate and District Courts in the hope of compelling the ISA of permitting the suspects to meet with them.

Shortly after the attack a group of about 20 hikers from Shomron were detained by authorities in the Galil area on suspicion of involvement in the attack. All of them were released after being interviewed by police.

Rosa released a message to the media expression criticism of the use of police authority prohibiting suspects to meet with legal counsel. Rosa feels police are abusing this authority in the hope of ‘breaking’ suspects prior to speaking with a legal representative.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)