Palestinian Suspect Arrested in Brutal Murder of Israeli Teenager Ori Ansbacher
by Benjamin Kerstein
A suspect has been arrested in connection with Thursday’s brutal murder of Israeli teenager Ori Ansbacher.
According to Israel’s Channel 2, the suspect is a young Palestinian arrested on Friday night. He was detained near a mosque in Al-Bireh, in the central West Bank, adjacent to Ramallah, by a combined force of Shin Bet security service personnel and IDF special forces.
The suspect was reportedly identified by forensic evidence found at the scene of the murder.
Security forces encountered resistance during the arrest operation from residents of Al-Bireh, who threw rocks and other objects at the soldiers. None of the Israelis were wounded.
The body of Ansbacher, 19, of the West Bank town of Tekoa, was discovered outdoors in the Ein Yael area of Jerusalem on Thursday, reportedly with signs of extreme violence, though details have been withheld. Israeli police have asked the public not to spread “horrific descriptions that are irresponsible.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement, “At this difficult hour, we all embrace the Ansbacher family and the people of Tekoa. The security forces are investigating the murder — we will find those responsible for it, and we will bring them to justice.”