The police say they have found the person, or persons, behind a series of bombings of Arab targets over the past three years. The ringleader is apparently 22-year-old Haifa resident Eliran Golan, who has admitted perpetrating nine attacks in the Haifa area, all against Arabs or Arab sympathizers. One bomb was placed last year under the vehicle of MK Issam Mahoul, whose wife started the car but was not injured in the ensuing explosion. Two other people were lightly injured, police say, as a result of the actions of Golan. A search of his home in the N'vei Shaanan neighborhood revealed 40 homemade bombs in various stages of completion, along with grenades, a mortar shell and other related items.
The police also arrested Golan's father Meir, a civilian who works in the IDF, who will remain in prison for another nine days. Meir's lawyer said today that his client is in "total shock" at what was found in his house, and is blaming himself for not knowing what was going on "under his nose." Eliran Golan has, in fact, expressed great regret to his family members for the situation in which he has put them.
The third arrest occurred last night: Ashdod-resident Yvgeny Grossman, 22, who has been remanded for five days. He is suspected with knowing of at least some of the bombs, but he denies any connection. Grossman said today that he has not seen Golan in a very long time, and says that the only Arabs he would try to harm are terrorists; "the others have civil rights just like you and me."
The police also arrested Golan's father Meir, a civilian who works in the IDF, who will remain in prison for another nine days. Meir's lawyer said today that his client is in "total shock" at what was found in his house, and is blaming himself for not knowing what was going on "under his nose." Eliran Golan has, in fact, expressed great regret to his family members for the situation in which he has put them.
The third arrest occurred last night: Ashdod-resident Yvgeny Grossman, 22, who has been remanded for five days. He is suspected with knowing of at least some of the bombs, but he denies any connection. Grossman said today that he has not seen Golan in a very long time, and says that the only Arabs he would try to harm are terrorists; "the others have civil rights just like you and me."