The Arab driver who touched off days of rioting in the Israeli-Arab city of Acre was arrested.
Jamal Taufik was arrested Monday and charged with reckless driving, endangering lives and offending religious sensibilities. The Haifa District Court also suspended his drivers’ license for one month.
Taufik denies that he drove through a Jewish neighborhood on Yom Kippur eve, Oct. 8, in order to incite the city’s Jews, saying he was only driving to pick up his daughter. Eyewitnesses told Israeli media that he blasted his car stereo, was smoking and driving at high speeds through the streets.
The five days of riots between Jewish and Arab youths resulted in extensive damage to property in Acre. A large police presence continues to patrol the city’s Arab and Jewish sectors.
On Sunday, Arab leaders issued a statement condemning Taufik’s actions.
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