Crime

By Pesach Benson • September 4, 2025

Jerusalem, 4 September, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The Jerusalem Magistrates Court on Thursday extended by five days the arrest of Lieutenant Colonel (res.) Amos Doron, 60, a retired officer and well-known anti-government activist, who is suspected of setting fire to recycling bins near prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Jerusalem residence.

Doron, from Ramat Gan, denies the charges. Police presented footage reportedly showing him at the scene during the incident, claiming he had arrived on vacation. “There is reasonable suspicion of the suspect and a real concern of danger and disruption,” the court said when extending his detention.

An additional suspect, an 83-year-old man, was released to house arrest after police found no incriminating evidence. Authorities said he had claimed he was not present at the scene during the arson.

The incident occurred Wednesday morning during a protest organized as part of a “Day of Disruption” by families of abducted Israelis, calling for the return of the hostages and an end to hostilities. Police and firefighters were dispatched to extinguish flames and prevent further risk to residents and commuters. While several vehicles were damaged and nearby buildings evacuated, authorities confirmed that no one was injured.

“The protesters set fire to garbage bins, which spread to a car parked nearby,” a police spokesperson said. “Our investigation shows the suspects came from both Jerusalem and central Israel.”

Hebrew media reported that the torched car belongs to an army reservist who completed over 260 days of emergency reserve duty and is due to deploy to Gaza amid the latest mass call-up.

Doron has a history of involvement in protests. According to police, he was previously indicted for rolling a burning tire into Jerusalem during demonstrations against judicial reform. He was also accused of arriving in Jerusalem in disguise.

The arson drew strong condemnations from government officials. Prime Minister Netanyahu denounced the attack, stating, “They broke every border. They threaten to murder me every day. They surrounded me with a ring of fire.”

Leaders of the demonstration disavowed the incident, saying their planned protest was scheduled to begin later in the day and that they were not connected to the arson.

The protests came as thousands of Israelis reported for reserve duty on Tuesday ahead of an expected offensive in Gaza City, Hamas’ last stronghold in the Gaza Strip.

Approximately 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 48 remaining hostages, about 20 are believed to be alive.