Five Years Later: Shin Bet Orders New Investigations Into 2021 Riots

More than five years after the wave of violence that swept across Israel during Operation Guardian of the Walls, Shin Bet chief David Zini has ordered the reopening and expansion of investigations into Israeli Arabs suspected of involvement in the riots, according to a report published Wednesday morning by Israel Hayom.

The decision reportedly followed an internal review by the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), during which investigators reexamined evidence and information gathered during the unrest in 2021.

According to security officials, a series of consultations revealed that additional investigative steps could be taken in some cases to help bring those responsible to justice. These include suspected involvement in assaults on civilians, arson, road blockages, and acts of intimidation. As part of the initiative, the Shin Bet plans to revisit existing case files and gather further evidence.

The riots erupted in 2021 during Ramadan, amid escalating tensions in eastern Jerusalem, and included attacks on security forces and Jewish civilians, as well as incidents of mob violence and attempted lynchings. Rocket fire from Gaza followed, while unrest spread to several cities across Israel. Civilians and security personnel were injured, and both public and private property sustained damage.

At the time, police and Shin Bet investigators arrested numerous suspects and referred their cases to the State Attorney's Office. However, some incidents remained unsolved, and not everyone suspected of involvement was apprehended.

According to Justice Ministry figures, by the end of 2022, indictments had been filed against 239 defendants in connection with 108 incidents involving offenses aggravated by terrorist or racist motives. Approximately 85% of the defendants were Arabs, while 15% were Jews.

The figures also show that fewer than 100 defendants had received prison sentences by that point. In several cases, the State Attorney's Office appealed sentences it considered too lenient. The Supreme Court accepted some of those appeals, resulting in harsher penalties.