11-year old detained for ‘price tag’ vandalism

Police briefly detained an 11-year-old boy suspected of slashing tires and writing hate-filled messages on vehicles belonging to Palestinians at a Sha’ar Binyamin parking lot Sunday.

The officers found in the boy’s possession the magic marker he allegedly used to write “Death to Arabs” and “Price Tag” on two cars.

The boy was released to go home. He and his parents were asked to appear at a local police station for questioning on Monday.

The term “price tag” is used to describe crimes carried out by extremist Jews as ostensible retribution for Israeli government actions — such as demolition of illegal West Bank construction — which they deem contrary to settler interests.

Earlier this month, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon announced that planning and carrying out “price tag” attacks will be defined as “illegal organizing,” which puts the acts on the same level as Islamic terror groups.

“Price tag perpetrators’ conduct is identical to the conduct of modern terrorist groups, including ideological inspiration and covert action,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement. “Its main objective is to prevent the legitimate Israeli government from carrying out actions, whether of state or regarding law enforcement, and to sow fear among the nation’s leaders of making decisions of one kind or another.”