Israel to investigate far-right parliamentarian for inciting burning of Palestinian town

By Zain Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli police will investigate a far-right parliamentarian over inciting the burning of a Palestinian town.

Israeli public broadcaster KAN said Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara ordered the police to investigate Zvika Fogel Fogel over suspicion of inciting terrorism.

On Monday, Fogel, a member of the Knesset from the far-right Jewish Strength Party headed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, voiced support for the burning of Palestinian villages in response to the killing of Israeli settlers.

"A closed, burned Huwara; that's what I want to see. That's the only way to achieve deterrence. After a murder like yesterday's, we need burning villages when the (army) doesn't act," Fogel told a local radio station.

A Palestinian was killed and several Palestinian homes and vehicles vandalized when dozens of Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian town of Huwara on Sunday. The violence followed the killing of two Israeli settlers in a shooting attack in the town.

Israeli authorities did not announce any arrests or measures against those behind the attack.

Violence has escalated across the occupied territories in recent weeks amid repeated Israeli military raids of Palestinian towns.

According to Palestinian figures, at least 66 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the start of the year. Twelve Israelis were also killed in attacks by Palestinians in the same period.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara