v The Shin Bet, Israel’s security agency, agreed on Sunday to remove the court gag-order that it had requested on its investigation in to the suspected murder of Aisha Rabi, in a stone-throwing incident in the West Bank. The Shin Bet and police have arrested five Israeli minors, students at a Yeshiva high school on the settlement of Rachelim, who are alleged to have been involved in the incident. One of the reasons for the publication was the chorus of criticism from right-wing politicians and rabbis over the treatment of the suspects, some of whom were held for a week before being allowed to meet with their lawyers.

While the security and legal establishment in Israel is treating the death of Ms Rabi, a mother of nine, as “Jewish terror,” senior rabbis including Rabbi Chaim Drukman, who is widely regarded as the spiritual leader of the national-religious community have attacked the Shin Bet for abusing the five and called for their release. Right-wing politicians, including Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, have met with their parents. In an attempt to counter the public campaign, Shin Bet has released details regarding the alleged murder, including the fact that religious far-right activists, desecrated Shabbat, on the day of the incident, to travel to the yeshiva in Rachelim and lecture the students on how to keep quiet under questioning. They also released a photograph of a flag of Israel, with a swastika and “Death to Zionists” scrawled on it, which was found in the possession of one of the suspects.

On Tuesday, President Reuven Rivlin, and following him, also Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, made statements supporting the Shin Bet.