Arson suspected at offices of pro-Palestinian rights group in Jerusalem
Xinhua, January 11, 2016 Adjust font size:
Fire broke out Sunday night at the Jerusalem office building of a major Israeli human rights group, an incident suspected as arson, officials said.
The fire erupted at the building of B'tselem rights group which has been under increasing attacks by right-wing organizations and lawmakers for its support of Palestinian rights.
The group was established in 1989 to document violations of human rights in the Israel-occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip.
Many right-wing Israelis accuse the organization of being a "fifth column" that acts against Israeli soldiers in the Palestinian territories.
A spokesman with the fire authority said they are investigating the possibility that the fire was started deliberately.
A later statement by Jerusalem's Fire Department said "the fire apparently started in the offices of B'tselem," reinforcing suspicion of arson.
Five teams were battling the blaze, but there were no immediate reports of injuries, according to Jerusalem's Fire Department. Endit