Suspects to be indicted for setting blaze at hostage deal protest

An indictment is set to be filed next week against Lt. Col. (res.) Amos Doron, a reservist and anti-government protester suspected of torching dumpsters near the Prime Minister’s Residence, the State Attorney’s Office says.

Prosecutor’s declarations will be filed today against four individuals suspected of involvement in the fires, including Doron. The other three unnamed suspects will be indicted next week as well.

The fires were set during a day of mass protests throughout Jerusalem in early September as demonstrators rallied for a hostage deal and end to the war. The blazes spread to destroy a local resident’s car and forced residents in nearby buildings to evacuate their homes. No injuries were reported.

Police arrested Doron the same day the fires were set. He has denied the allegations against him in court and claimed to have traveled to the capital for personal matters, unrelated to the protest movement.

Netanyahu and members of his coalition were quick to link the blazes to the protest movement. Organizers and hostage families denounced the arson and succeeded in raising funds to replace the car consumed by the blaze.