Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attributed the fire to Palestinian arson, and wrongly claimed 18 people had been arrested in connection with it. Police have said only three suspects have been arrested so far, and Hebrew media reported that a preliminary assessment by the fire service indicated that the blazes were likely caused in the main by negligent hikers, not arson.
Channel 13 reported that assessment, saying investigators had found that a higher-than-average number of hikers had passed through the Mesilat Zion area, where the fire began, in the hours leading up to it on Wednesday. At the same time, it said the fire service suspects additional fires that broke out later in the day may have been arson attacks.
In response to the reports, the Fire and Rescue Service said it had yet to determine what had caused the fires, as the investigation is still in the preliminary stages.
Meanwhile, President Isaac Herzog said in an Independence Day event at his Jerusalem residence Thursday that the fires were “part of the climate crisis, which must not be ignored.”
“It requires us to prepare for serious and significant challenges and to make decisions – including appropriate legislation,” said Herzog, thanking firefighters for “risking their lives… to save lives and contain the great fire.”
As the fires spread, there were some calls by Palestinians on social media to go out and start further blazes. Netanyahu, whose government was accused in the wake of the fire of ignoring early warnings, said Thursday that the fire shows “our neighbors, who claim they love this land, talk about burning the land.”
Jews can't agree among themselves. Palestinians 'fanning the flames' as it were. This is a big moment. Supposedly the Israelis are getting this contained. Will watch closely. Bound to be further fires. Israel's enemies smell blood.
Joe_McCarthy 0 points 10 hours ago
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attributed the fire to Palestinian arson, and wrongly claimed 18 people had been arrested in connection with it. Police have said only three suspects have been arrested so far, and Hebrew media reported that a preliminary assessment by the fire service indicated that the blazes were likely caused in the main by negligent hikers, not arson.
Channel 13 reported that assessment, saying investigators had found that a higher-than-average number of hikers had passed through the Mesilat Zion area, where the fire began, in the hours leading up to it on Wednesday. At the same time, it said the fire service suspects additional fires that broke out later in the day may have been arson attacks.
In response to the reports, the Fire and Rescue Service said it had yet to determine what had caused the fires, as the investigation is still in the preliminary stages.
Meanwhile, President Isaac Herzog said in an Independence Day event at his Jerusalem residence Thursday that the fires were “part of the climate crisis, which must not be ignored.”
“It requires us to prepare for serious and significant challenges and to make decisions – including appropriate legislation,” said Herzog, thanking firefighters for “risking their lives… to save lives and contain the great fire.”
As the fires spread, there were some calls by Palestinians on social media to go out and start further blazes. Netanyahu, whose government was accused in the wake of the fire of ignoring early warnings, said Thursday that the fire shows “our neighbors, who claim they love this land, talk about burning the land.”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-hills-wildfires-under-control-after-nearly-30-hours-no-major-injuries/
Jews can't agree among themselves. Palestinians 'fanning the flames' as it were. This is a big moment. Supposedly the Israelis are getting this contained. Will watch closely. Bound to be further fires. Israel's enemies smell blood.