At the beginning of September 2025, trash bins and a car were set on fire near the official residence of the Prime Minister in Jerusalem’s Rehavia neighborhood, allegedly as part of anti-government protests. The incident caused serious damage and forced residents to evacuate nearby buildings. After an extensive investigation by the Moriah police station, four suspects were arrested, some of whom disguised themselves, and indictments are expected soon.
Moriah police station – arrests of the suspects
The investigation was led by officers at the Moriah police station in the Jerusalem District, who collected video footage and testimonies from the scene. On the day of the arson itself, September 3, the first suspect was arrested – a man in his sixties from central Israel who was caught on security cameras wearing a cap and a fake beard. He was seen igniting a trash bin, discarding the disguise in nearby bushes, and fleeing. He was tracked down and arrested within hours.
In the following days, three more men were detained – one from Herzliya, another from Tel Aviv, and a third from the Hof Ashkelon regional council, all in their fifties and sixties. Their remand was repeatedly extended in court. According to police, the suspects acted in coordination and under secrecy, in what investigators describe as an organized group operating beyond the limits of lawful protest.
Arson near the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem
The fires broke out just a short distance from the Prime Minister’s official residence in Rehavia – a symbolic and politically charged location. Police argue the acts were committed under the guise of anti-government protest but stress that “this was not legitimate protest but clear criminal activity.” The arson caused heavy damage, including a car that was completely burned, and forced families to evacuate nearby apartments for fear the smoke would spread indoors. At least one suspect nearly injured himself as the flames grew uncontrollably.
Eyewitnesses described heavy deployment of emergency services – firefighters, police, and paramedics – rushing to contain the fire and prevent casualties. Residents reported a sense of insecurity in a neighborhood usually known for its calm atmosphere. “This is no longer politics, it’s endangering lives,” one resident said.
A court has since extended the suspects’ detention to allow prosecutors to finalize indictments. A gag order remains on their identities, but the incident’s proximity to the Prime Minister’s residence has placed the case at the center of Jerusalem’s public debate.
