Some 300 Israeli Arabs clashed with security forces in the Upper Galilee on Monday after a mosque in their village was set on fire in a suspected 'price tag' attack.
According to Israel Police, residents of the village of Tuba-Zangariyye began marching to Rosh Pina, while hurling rocks at security forces and burning tires.
Police forces responded to the clashes by firing tear gas and stun grenades at the protesters.
On Sunday night, a mosque was set on fire in the village of Tuba in the Upper Galilee. The entire interior of the mosque went up in flames, causing heavy damage. Holy books inside the mosque were burned.
Graffiti with the words “price tag” was found on the wall of the mosque. Israeli police said they have arrested several suspects involved in the mosque arson, but did not disclose any details.
Northern District Police Commander Major-General Roni Atia who was on the scene described the incident as “very serious in the context of ‘price tag’ attacks.” Atia has set up a special team to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Residents of the village described the attack as “very serious.”
“It is obvious that Jewish extremists did this, despite the internal divisions we have, no one here would dare harm the mosque," one of the residents said.