Israeli MK Calls on Shin Bet to Treat Wildfires as Acts of War Amid Rising Arson Attacks

Amid a surge in wildfire incidents across Israel, Member of Knesset Amit Halevi urged the Shin Bet security agency to treat these fires as acts of terrorism and tools of warfare. Speaking on Boaz Golan's Open Studio on Tuesday, Halevi emphasized that the recent wave of arson attacks should be approached with the same seriousness as conventional terror attacks. He specifically referenced the multiple fires at the Gilad Farm last week, noting that there were three separate fires there, underscoring his point that these are deliberate hostile acts rather than isolated accidents.

Halevi called on Shin Bet chief David Zini to reassess the situation and adopt a new perspective, stating, "I say this for the benefit of Shin Bet head David Zini, who hears or will hear us, these fires must be treated as weapons of war." He criticized the civilian discourse that attempts to downplay the national security implications of these events, arguing that such fires constitute terrorism and require thorough investigation, arrests, and counterterrorism measures.

The MK clarified that his comments were not limited to the recent fire in Ben Shemen Forest but addressed the overall increase in wildfire incidents. His remarks come amid growing concerns about the security implications of arson attacks in Israel, highlighting the need for a strategic security response to what he terms "terror by fire."