JERUSALEM (JTA) — An Arab-Israeli man was indicted for the attempted lynching of a Jewish man who drove past his Arab-Israeli village.
Muhammed Haj-Yihyeh, 21, was indicted Thursday on charges of aggravated assault, vandalism and mayhem for the Nov. 9 incident outside Taibe, near the central Israeli city of Kfar Saba.
The Jewish motorist had attempted to avoid burning tires on a major highway during Arab protests to the shooting by Israel Police of an Arab-Israeli teenager in Kfar Kana. The teen, who was brandishing a knife, was shot as he was running away from a police vehicle on which he had pounded.
In the incident outside Taibe, the driver was surrounded by rioters who shouted “Jew! Jew!” and threw rocks at the car, breaking the window.
Haj-Yihyeh is accused of throwing a lit package of fireworks into the car, which caught fire and burned completely.
A Taibe resident saved the driver’s life, grabbing him away from the rioters and driving him to a police station.
Haj-Yihyeh reportedly has confessed to the charges. He was also seen on a video calling for an intifada.
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