A major development emerged this evening in the investigation into the arson attack at the beis medrash of the former Rishon LeTzion, Rav Yitzchok Yosef, in the Sanhedria neighborhood of Yerushalayim. Authorities have confirmed that a suspect has been arrested.
According to sources in the Shin Bet and Israel Police, the suspect is a man in his twenties and a resident of Yerushalayim. He was located and taken into custody earlier in the evening and is currently being interrogated at a police station.
A gag order has been placed on details of the investigation, including any information that could reveal the identity of the suspect. The order was issued earlier today at the request of a police representative during a court hearing.
As previously reported, Shin Bet investigators arrived at the scene on Sunday night to examine the damage and gather evidence. It had already been decided that the internal security agency would lead the investigation together with detectives from the Yerushalayim District’s central unit.
Initial findings suggest that the arson was not a random act, but a targeted attack intended to intimidate Rav Yosef personally. Security footage reportedly shows the arsonist entering the beis medrash, walking directly to the seat of Rav Yosef, pouring flammable liquid, igniting it, and fleeing the scene.
Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri spoke with Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar following the attack. Bar reportedly told Deri that the agency is treating the incident with the utmost severity, classifying it as a nationalist terror attack. He added that an accelerated investigation is underway, with the hope of swiftly solving the case and bringing those responsible to justice.
The burned beis medrash is located in the Ohr Chaviv shul in Yerushalayim, where Rav Yosef delivers shiurim and meets with members of the public.
{Matzav.com Israel}