Honenu and others criticizing the ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet), leveling allegations of torture and sleep deprivation against Jewish detainees suspected of involvement in the fatal Duma arson last summer.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu however is not accepting the criticism, commenting during a meeting with Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko.

The meeting took place on Tuesday, 10 Teves, after the announcement that the key suspect in the case has admitted to his actions and reenacted the attack for his interrogators.

PM Netanyahu said “ISA Director Yoram Cohen and his people are doing important and excellent work for the people of Israel and for the security of Israel. I find the attacks on them to be unacceptable. We are a nation of law. All ISA activity is carried out according to the law and this activity is being carried out under the close supervision and approval of the Attorney General, the Justice Ministry and the courts.

“There is Arab terrorism that we are dealing with and are fighting night and day, everywhere, but, to my regret, there are – from time to time – acts of terrorism that are carried out by Jews and the ISA is also dealing with them. Terrorism from any quarter is unacceptable to us.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Education Minister Naftali Bennet told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) that he too back the ISA, stating he is confident that interrogators are operating within the framework of the law.

Later in the day the ISA received a public statement of support from Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, who denied allegations of illegal actions by interrogators against the detainees.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)