6 Arab suspects arrested for throwing firebombs at Jewish homes in Old City

Muslim Quarter residents attempted to intimidate Jews living in area to move out.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
Updated: JUNE 19, 2017 03:13
PEOPLE WALK past one of the more than 1,400 closed shops in the Muslim Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem on April 27, 2017 (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
PEOPLE WALK past one of the more than 1,400 closed shops in the Muslim Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem on April 27, 2017
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Six Arab residents of the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City, including five minors, were arrested Sunday morning on arson charges for allegedly throwing firebombs at Jewish homes in the area.
Police said the arrests were carried out after obtaining warrants to search each suspect’s home amid an ongoing investigation.
“The six suspects attacked Jewish homes with petrol bombs in the Muslim Quarter over the last few weeks and were arrested for arson and attempted arson,” said police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld.
“They were arrested in their homes overnight and taken in for questioning at the Jaffa Gate police station,” he added, stating that the homes sustained serious damage from the attacks, though none of the residents were injured.
According to the investigation, the suspects attacked the homes to force the Jewish families to permanently flee the area.
The suspects were arraigned at Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court on Sunday, where a judge extended their remand amid the ongoing investigation.
“The routine life in the Old City, where all religions live side by side, will be preserved and any attempt to disrupt or harm people’s safety will be met with a firm and determined hand, as took place this morning,” added police spokeswoman Luba Samri.