An attorney has expressed alarm over the Shin Bet's approach of moving violent settlers into Israel's urban areas, arguing it increases risks in ethnically diverse communities such as Jaffa.
Incident Involving Pregnant Woman
This concern follows a reported assault where a pregnant woman, accompanied by her young son and daughter in a car, was targeted. According to accounts, three individuals sprayed pepper spray into the vehicle, shouted threats, and then escaped. The woman received medical attention at Wolfson Medical Center.
Authorities detained three suspects shortly after the event. A court extended their detention. During interrogation, the suspects acknowledged their presence but asserted they acted defensively. Police indicated their account conflicted with video evidence, forensic findings, and witness statements.
Connection to Radical Group
Investigations revealed the suspects are associated with the Hilltop Youth movement and are prohibited from entering the West Bank. They stated they were in Jaffa for a weekend outing, felt threatened by nearby cars, and left the location. After providing similar statements, they chose to remain silent.
Legal representation for the suspects argued that police disrupted the questioning process and prevented complete responses, describing the event as an unplanned confrontation rather than a deliberate attack.
Attorney's Direct Statement
In a communication, the attorney wrote: "As a resident of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, a secular person and a member of the LGBTQ community, I wish to emphasize that the Shin Bet is responsible for my personal security and that of all the city’s residents."
He cautioned that the beliefs of extremist settler youth threaten varied communities throughout Israel. "It cannot be that Jewish terrorists, who are removed from the West Bank due to the threat they pose, are transferred into Israel proper only to continue endangering lives in civilian population centers," he wrote.
"Just as a non-Jewish terrorist would not be relocated from the West Bank into Israel proper out of concern for public safety, the same standard must apply to Jewish terrorists. Mixed cities cannot become dumping grounds for violent extremists," the attorney added.
Family Experiences Further Intimidation
The attorney's letter coincided with reports that the affected family faced additional intimidation when their car was broken into days after the initial attack. "Another violent incident that deepens the sense of fear within our family and within Arab society as a whole," said a family member.
"It seems there are those trying to intimidate and silence us so that we stop demanding enforcement and justice. But we will not be deterred."
The timing of the incident, as the woman was nearing childbirth, heightened the family's feelings of insecurity. "We don’t feel safe in our home," they stated.
