Israeli firefighters say West Bank mosque fire likely set deliberately

Firefighters: West Bank mosque fire likely arson

JERUSALEM — Israeli firefighters say a fire in a West Bank mosque appears to have been deliberately set.

Palestinian investigators already have drawn this conclusion and blamed Jewish settlers for Tuesday’s fire that destroyed holy books and prayer rugs in the village of Luban a-Sharkiyeh. The blaze came at a sensitive time as the Israelis and Palestinians begin new U.S.-brokered peace talks.

Israeli authorities had said they were investigating whether an electrical short was to blame.

But fire department spokesman, Jeky Binyamini, said Thursday that wasn’t the case. He cited “a high probability of arson.”

Settlers have attacked Palestinian property in recent months following the government’s decision to slow construction in Jewish settlements.