Palestinian family of arson victims to sue Israel

By Kaamil Ahmed

JERUSALEM (AA) - The relatives of a Palestinian boy who lost both of his parents and 18-month-old brother in an arson attack will sue Israel, accusing it of responsibility for the 2015 attack allegedly carried out by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.

Ahmed Dawabsheh, 6, was the family's only surviving member and was seriously injured in the fire but was discounted for compensation from Israel, so the family is taking his case to the Nazareth Central Court on Monday, his uncle Nasser Dawabsheh told Anadolu Agency.

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Dawabsheh did not qualify for compensation given to victims of attacks because he was not an Israeli citizen.

Two settlers, including a minor, were charged with murder in early 2016 but have not yet been prosecuted.

The July 2015 attack caused widespread anger among Palestinians and internationally while the family has criticized the delays in prosecuting the suspects, despite Israeli officials saying shortly after the attack that they knew who was responsible.