Israeli authorities have arrested six Jewish suspects in the slaying of an Arab teenager from East Jerusalem, Israeli officials said Sunday.
The officials said the suspects had “nationalistic” motives, adding to speculation 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khieder was killed in a revenge attack following the abduction and slaying of three Israeli teens last month.
The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity, and they would not provide additional information about the suspects, citing a legal order barring them from commenting publicly on details of the investigation.
A statement released by Israel’s domestic security agency late Sunday afternoon confirmed the arrests and said the suspects were being held for questioning.
A spokesman for Honenu, a legal aid group that defends Israelis accused of extremist crimes, said it was representing the six at a court hearing Sunday afternoon in the Israeli city of Petah Tikva. . .