Israel Police on Sunday arrested the deputy head of the Jaffa Islamic Council, Sheikh Issam Setel, for disturbing the public order after he called Jews “dogs” during a protest in the Jaffa-Tel Aviv area.
In a video from Saturday’s rally, Setel can be heard addressing Tel Aviv-Jaffa Mayor Ron Huldai, saying Arab residents do not want “settlers” in Jaffa, in reference to the local garin torani—religious-Zionist families who move to communities with low-observant Jewish populations.
“Get them out of here,” the sheikh said, adding: “We agreed to a dog park [for the garin torani], but won’t agree to homes for these dogs.”
The demonstration was held in support of an Arab family that was attacked with pepper spray by unknown assailants. A member of the family, a 30-year-old pregnant woman, required medical attention after the assault.
According to פolice, the woman “evacuated herself [by car] to a medical center for treatment.” The statement added, “Officers of the Jaffa police station who arrived at the scene are conducting extensive searches, including collecting testimonies, in order to locate the suspects.”
Police do not suspect a nationalist motive, telling local media the incident followed a roadside confrontation with three suspects.
The victim told Ynet that she believed the perpetrators were Israeli Jews and claimed the assault was motivated by anti-Arab sentiment. Police on Sunday released footage showing three men fleeing the scene.
She also said it was “absurd” that the sheikh was arrested, adding: “They arrest community leaders while those who attacked us are walking free.”
After word spread that yeshivah students attacked an Arab woman, several Jews were assaulted on Jaffa’s streets, Channel 14 reported.
Police announced Sunday night that they had arrested four additional Jaffa residents for violating the public order. The suspects were said to have been present at an illegal procession in the area, during which chants were heard of “with blood we will redeem Jaffa” and “tell the Shin Bet [Israel Security Agency] dogs that we are not afraid of confrontation.”
