Mosque torched in Israel's Galilee district

IMEMC – Similar to attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, a group of extremists burned a mosque at the entrance of Toba Zanghriyya village in the Galilee on Sunday night, and wrote “Price Tag” and “Revenge” on its walls, the Arabs48 news website reported.

The fire spread through the mosque, consuming most of its property, while hundreds of village residents rushed to try to extinguish it.

Following the attack, the villagers held a protest march in the streets, confirming that they will not be silenced. A number of youth also burnt tires and closed the main entrance of the village.

The Israeli Police said it would form an investigation committee to try to identify the assailants. Israeli TV, Channel 10, reported that the attack was likely carried out by extremist Israeli right-wingers.

Sheikh Kamal Khatib, deputy-head of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement, stated that “racism is controlling the Jewish sector in Israel.” Holding the Israeli government responsible for the attack, he added that “the Israeli government encourages hatred towards Muslims”.

In June this year, racist graffiti such as "Price Tag," "Demolish," and "War against the West Bank" were found on the walls of a mosque in a village close to Haifa. The attackers also drew the Star of David on the mosque, the Arabs48 added.

Under the "Price Tag" campaign, Israeli settlers living in the occupied West Bank attacked and burned several mosques, in addition to torching Palestinian orchards and farmlands.

The recent attack likely reflects a new "Price Tag" campaign, not only in the West Bank but also against Arab villages and towns in the 1948 territories (Israel).