Terrorism charges filed against suspects in torching of joint Arab-Jewish school

Marcy Oster

JERUSALEM (JTA) – Additional charges were filed against the suspects in the arson attack on a joint Arab-Jewish school in Jerusalem.

The new charges announced on Tuesday include incitement to violence, incitement to racism, and supporting a terrorist organization. The three suspects were charged in December with arson, breaking and entering, and destroying property.

The suspects are Yitzhak Gabai, 22, of Jerusalem, and brothers Shlomo Rachamim Twitto, 20, and Nachman Twitto, 18, both of Beitar Illit. The suspects are members of Lehava, a group that opposes Arab-Israeli coexistence and assimilation.

A classroom of the Max Rayne Hand In Hand Jerusalem School was set on fire. “Death to Arabs” and “There is no coexistence with cancer” were among the anti-Arab epithets spray-painted on the school walls.

The Hand In Hand Jerusalem School is Israel’s largest joint Arab-Jewish school and the only such primary and high school in the city. Five Hand in Hand schools are located throughout the country.