12 arrested on suspicion of arson over series of wildfires in IsraelNovember 25, 2016 - 18:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Israeli police have arrested 12 people on suspicion of arson over a series of wildfires that have burned around the country for four days, BBC News reports. Firefighters have brought a blaze under control around the northern city of Haifa, where about 80,000 people were ordered to evacuate. But officials say several smaller fires are still being tackled in different locations. The blazes have been fanned by hot, dry weather and high winds. Several people have been treated for smoke inhalation but no serious injuries have been reported. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that if any of the fires were started deliberately they would be treated as an act of terrorism. Education Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the right-wing Jewish Home party, hinted at seditious Israeli Arab or Palestinian involvement, Tweeting: "Only those to whom the country does not belong are capable of burning it." Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement said Israeli officials were "exploiting the fire" to accuse Palestinians. Despite the fire around Haifa calming, fire officials warned it would be several days before they could fully extinguish what remains of the blaze. Overnight hundreds of people were evacuated from the town of Beit Meir near Jerusalem after several homes caught fire. Police blamed the fire there on arson and three suspects have been arrested, according to the Jerusalem Post. Another town in the north, Horashim, has also been evacuated as a blaze approaches, Haaretz reported. Palestinian firefighting crews were despatched from the West Bank to help efforts in Haifa. The team's head, Abdulatif Abu Amshah, said: "Firefighters, their aim is to stop fire. No need to look of religion or anything else." A US supertanker, capable of carrying 74 tonnes of water and fire retardant, is due to arrive in Israel on Friday to assist. Several other countries - including Cyprus, Russia, Italy, Croatia and Greece - have also sent help and equipment, including aircraft, to help tackle the blazes. The fires are the worst since 2010, when 44 people died in a fire on Mount Carmel, just south of Haifa. Photo: Reuters Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |