Israeli authorities said they have arrested four Arab teenagers from east Jerusalem on suspicion of involvement in the fatal rock-throwing attack on the eve of Rosh Hashanah earlier this month in which 64-year-old Jerusalem resident Alexander Levlovich was killed. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said Saturday that a joint investigation with the Shin Bet security service led to the arrests of the four suspects, who are residents of the Sur Baher neighborhood in southeast Jerusalem. The suspects are all between the ages of 16 and 19. Three of the suspects have been identified as Muhammad Abu Salah, Fares Mostafa Walid Atrash and Mahmoud Abed Rabbo Dawiyat. The identity of the fourth suspect has not been revealed, as he is a minor, police said. The suspects re-enacted the attack that killed Levlovich, who was driving home from a Rosh Hashanah Eve meal when a rock thrown at his car caused him to crash into a ditch on the side of a road that passes close to Sur Baher. Two female occupants of the car were injured in the crash. The attack sparked outrage in Israel and the government pledged to crack down on rock attacks in Jerusalem, which have been on the rise. Israel has since approved more lenient rules of engagement and tougher minimum sentences for offenders. Dawiyat told investigators during his interrogation that he left his home wrapped in a Hamas flag, which he had received while attending an "Al-Aqsa in Danger" rally in the northern Israeli Arab town of Umm al-Fahm. The four suspects admitted it was a premeditated attack and that they specifically chose to carry it out on Rosh Hashanah. They said they had positioned themselves in a location that would allow them an optimal view of passing vehicles in order to spot Israeli drivers. "This attack illustrates the need for harsher penalties for rock throwers, including punishment of minors involved in such activities," a statement published by the Jerusalem Police said. A statement released by Levlovich's family said, "We wish to thank the police and security forces for their determination and perseverance that led to the capture of our dear father's murderers. However, the mission is not done yet. It is paramount to make the rock-throwing penalties tougher and bring the perpetrators to justice, because rocks do kill."
