Israeli settlers burn 15 Palestinian homes in 7 years

An Israeli rights group acknowledged in a new report issued Sunday that the settlers’ arson attack on Palestinian homes in Duma town was not an isolated incident.

Yesh Din human rights group said that Israeli settlers set fire to 15 Palestinian homes throughout the West Bank since 2008.

In 12 cases, homes’ owners submitted complaints to Israeli authorities against the suspected settlers.

Ten of these cases were never solved as Israeli police did not even bother to take elementary investigative action, while two complaints are still being investigated.

Three of the reported arson attacks were carried out in Burin town south of Nablus, the report pointed out.

“This is due to the authorities’ policy to avoid enforcing the law on Israelis who harm Palestinians and their property,” the group added. “This policy creates impunity for hate crimes, and encourages assailants to continue, leading to this morning’s horrific result (referring to the attack on Duma).”