Right-wing protesters clash with police, demand 'immediate release' of settler who killed Palestinian during violent incident in Burka

Settler claims he fired in ‘self defense,’ was released from hospital to prison

Hundreds of right-wing protesters gathered at the Bridge of Strings at the entrance of Jerusalem on Sunday night to protest the transfer of Yehiel Indore from the Shaare Zedek Hospital to the Israel Prison Service.

Last week, Indore was involved in violent clashes between Jewish settlers and Palestinians outside the Palestinian town of Burka, during which his skull was fractured.

The protest, led by several right-wing groups, such as Im Tirzu, Betsalmo, and Honenu, was against Indore’s transfer to police custody instead of being released to house arrest.

“We are coming to protest the injustice that has been done and demand Yehiel's immediate release,” read one notice, calling people to join the protest, while some called Indore a “hero."

Indore is suspected of shooting and killing Palestinian teenager Qusai Jamal Ma’atan during the fighting, however, he claims that he acted in self-defense, only shooting after being hit in the head by a rock.

Last Friday, the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court agreed to extend Indore’s arrest until Tuesday.

The judge in the case said that, while there is growing evidence proving that Indore is the killer, there is also evidence that he acted in self-defense.

Palestinian witnesses have said that Indore placed the shot before he was hit in the head with a stone.

Last week the police dropped the charge of racism against Indore, which could have led to harsher sentencing if he is convicted.

Following the transfer on Monday morning, Settlements and National Missions Minister Orit Struck of the Religious Zionism party met with the commander of the prison where Indore is being held.

Struck affirmed that “the conditions Yechiel was in were reasonable,” despite her calls against his detainment. She also said she would continue to monitor his situation.

“I think he should have been released earlier; we will continue to monitor and make sure that at least as long as he is in custody, his health and rights are not compromised,” she said.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir released a statement following Indore’s transfer to the prison hospital Sunday evening.

“According to many inquiries that reached my office under the instructions of the Shin Bet, Yehiel Indore, who was wounded in the head in the incident in Burka, was transferred to IPS custody. The decision to release him from the hospital stated that 'there are no special instructions regarding the bed he will sleep on.' I would like to know whether the detainee's rights are protected in accordance with the law,” read the statement.

Ben Gvir previously called Indore a “hero,” saying: “A Jew who defends himself and others from murder by Palestinians is not a murder suspect, but a hero who will get full backing from me.”