Security has been boosted around Israel Security Agency (ISA or Shin Bet) chief Yoram Cohen, Channel 10 reports Sunday, following concerns over potential threats from right-wing extremists over the Duma arson case.
No concrete threats have been issued, the news agency reports, but recent protests over the case have led the government to take extra precautions.
The Duma arson case has seen a series of harsh condemnations levied against the ISA.
Outrage has snowballed after the suspects had reportedly been refused basic religious rights, been banned from seeing their lawyers or family, denied medical treatment after being beaten during arrest, and may even have been sexually abused.
Civil rights groups have called for the ISA to be investigated over the torture, which – if proven – may run contrary to Israeli law. In one case, the ISA was found to have illegally detained one of the suspects, a minor, for longer than the 20 days mandated by law.
Protests have broken out across the country this week over the allegations, and the security boost for Cohen is not the first following the strong reactions to the case. On Saturday, security was also boosted for Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home) after the minister condemned the suspects.
