Holon man arrested for threat to torch medical staff

Just over a week after a nurse in a walk-in clinic was burned to death by a disgruntled patient, a 66-year-old man from the same city in central Israel was arrested Wednesday for threatening to set medical staff on fire.

The man, a resident of Holon, was due to appear at the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court Thursday to have his remand extended.

He was arrested after the clinic staff complained to police. The threat reportedly came during a fight between the man and medical staff.

It was not immediately clear whether the incident took place at the same clinic where, on March 14, Tova Kararo, 55, a nurse, was doused with flammable material and set on fire, evidently by a disgruntled patient.

Kararo was pronounced dead at the scene of the Clalit medical center by emergency workers. Police believe the arsonist was dissatisfied with the treatment he had received.

During questioning by police, the suspect, Asher Faraj, a 78-year-old Holocaust survivor, reportedly said he had not intended to harm anyone, only to cause damage to property at the clinic. Faraj’s remand was extended by nine days on Wednesday.

Attacks on staff in hospitals and health clinics have increased dramatically in the past few years, with family members attacking or cursing staff and causing disruptions in wards.