Attempts by far right activists detainees and their attorneys to smear the Shin Bet over its investigation into the Duma deadly arson attack are continuing, the intelligence agency said Thursday, adding that such tactics are aimed at distracting from the crimes of a fanatical Jewish terror organization seeking the overthrow of the Israeli state, in order to establish a fundamentalist monarchy that would expel non-Jews from the land.
In a statement, the second of its kind released this week, the Shin Bet said it is investigating a Jewish terrorist organization, whose members “are being interrogated currently, which is behind severe attacks motivated by an extreme anti-Zionist ideology. This organization continued to carry out attacks after the arson attack in Duma [which murdered Palestinian parents and their infant son], and they saw that attack as something to be emulated.”
The terrorist organization seeks to overthrow the state of Israel through violent acts, including the murder of innocent Palestinians, the launching of a rebellion to institute a king, and underming relations between Israel and other states, as well as the expulsion of non-Jews from the land and harming minorities.
The goal of the investigation is to “uncover the organization and thwart future attacks,” the Shin Bet said. In line with the legal frameworks, the organization is being investigated “in accordance with the professional and legal standards that are acceptable for thwarting organizations that plot severe future attacks.”
Claims by the lawyers of the suspects in custody, according to which the Shin Bet “sexually harassed” suspects, struck their genitals, kicked, spat or electrocuted them, or that one of the suspects attempted suicide, are all categorically false, the Shin Bet affirmed.
“All of these claims are false and have no connection to reality,” it added.
The goal of such lies is to try and prevent the Shin Bet from carrying out its job by disrupting the investigation and harming the image of the agency, it said. “Extreme right wing activists and their lawyers are trying to distract the public and legal attention from severe acts of terror committed by the said organization, and shift it to the legitimacy of an investigation to uncover their acts,” the Shin Bet added.
The agency added that the investigation is under the full legal supervision of the attorney general, the state prosecution, and other lawyers accompanying the case, as well the courts, which have hosted over 100 meetings regarding the suspects in custody.
Earlier this week, the Shin Bet said a second breakthrough had been made in its investigation into the deadly July arson attack.
“The Shin Bet confirms that in recent days, there has been progress in the investigation into the Duma terror attack. All other details pertaining to the investigation are under a media ban,” the Shin Bet added.
And on December 3, the agency said a number of Israeli youths arrested in recent days by security forces are being investigated “in the context of concrete suspicions” related to the deadly arson attack.
Earlier this month, the Shin Bet issued its first detailed denial in response to claims of torture made by lawyers representing Jewish suspects.
“Terrorist attacks carried out by the organization led to, among others, the murder of three innocent Palestinians, and as a result, contributed to instability in the region, and worsened the security situation,” the Shin Bet said.
