Palestinian from Beit Furik admits poisoning Lerner family because he ‘hates Jews.’ Police also have 2 more suspects in custody

By Raanan Ben-Zur

Cleared for publication: A Palestinian man residing in the West Bank village of Beit Furik, near Nablus, was arrested for allegedly poisoning a Raanana family and a police volunteer in October 2011.

The suspect – Photo: Ido Erez

Adnan Othman Nasaara, 46, has reportedly admitted to lacing food and drink in the Lerner family home with pesticides, because he “hates Jews.”

The police also arrested two other suspects in the case. One has been identified as Hassan Abd el-Rahim, 27, from Tira, who denies involvement in the act. The identity of the second suspect has not been revealed.

The case dates back to mid October last year, when the Lerners were the victims of a home invasion. Shortly after reporting the incident to the police, Eyal Lerner – having taken a drink form a juice bottle in the family’s kitchen – collapsed and was hospitalized in serious condition.

His wife, Yifat, and the couple’s toddler son were hospitalized shortly thereafter in moderate condition. All three exhibited the symptoms of poisoning.

Nasaara was arrested following a joint operation by the police and the IDF. During a search of his home, police found several hazardous pesticides.

According to the police, he admitted his involvement in the case and reenacted it for the investigators.

Major-General Ilan Mor, of Hasharon Subdistrict Police, said that it was unclear whether the suspect was planning to perpetrate similar nationalistically-motivated crimes in the future.

Police investigator Ilana Kosinovesko told Ynet that in his interrogation, Nasaara said he “hates Jews because they’re Jews.” The Shin Bet is taking an active part of in the investigation, she added.

All three were arraigned before by the Kfar Saba Magistrate’s Court on Sunday.

They were charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit a crime and burglary. The court also ordered they be remanded to police custody for four days.

View original Ynet publication at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4275944,00.html