Arab Suspects Charged After Lynching Haredi Teen 

Three Arabs have been indicted for the attempted lynching of a Jewish teenager in the Samaria town of Hawara earlier this year, in an attack that police say nearly ended in his death.

According to a joint statement from the Shin Bet and Israel Police, the incident took place on January 25, when the teen, described as ultra-Orthodox and with special needs, mistakenly entered the Palestinian town.

Investigators say local residents quickly identified him as Jewish and circulated his presence on social media, effectively calling others to the scene.

The indictment alleges that the three suspects, named as Muaman Oudeh, Abdullah Oudeh, and Muhammad Oudeh, learned of the teen’s presence through these online posts and drove through the area searching for him.

After locating the teenager, the suspects allegedly carried out a coordinated assault.

According to prosecutors, Muhammad Oudeh exited the vehicle first and kicked the teen, striking him in the neck. He then returned to the car, after which Abdullah Oudeh got out armed with a metal object resembling brass knuckles and struck the victim in the face.

The blow caused the teenager to lose consciousness and sustain injuries, including damage to his ear.

Police say the attackers fled the scene, believing the victim was dead.

“The youth was violently attacked by several local residents,” police said in a statement. “As a result of the attack, he lost consciousness, and the suspects assumed he was dead.”

Despite the severity of the assault, the teenager later regained consciousness and managed to leave Hawara on his own before filing a complaint with authorities.

Security forces launched an investigation immediately after receiving intelligence about the attack. The probe, conducted jointly by the Shin Bet and Border Police units in Judea and Samaria, involved extensive intelligence gathering and led to the arrest of six suspects.

Following the completion of the investigation last week, prosecutors filed charges against three of those detained, accusing them of aggravated assault carried out with intent to cause serious bodily harm.

Authorities described the incident as a “serious terrorist event with characteristics of a lynching,” underscoring both the organized nature of the attack and the role social media played in mobilizing those involved.

“This was not a spontaneous act of violence,” one security official said. “The suspects identified a target, coordinated their actions, and left him for dead.”

The case highlights ongoing security concerns in the area, particularly in mixed or contested zones where civilians may inadvertently enter hostile territory.

In their statement, the Shin Bet and police emphasized that they will continue to pursue those involved in attacks against Israeli civilians.

“Israel Security Agency, Israel Police, and Border Police will continue to act decisively, using all available means, to thwart terrorism and bring to justice anyone who harms the security of Israeli citizens,” the statement said.

No date has yet been set for the trial.