JERUSALEM: Video footage of Jewish zealots mocking the death by arson of a Palestinian baby has sparked outrage in Israel, even as some on the far right saw in the leak a possible bid to justify tough interrogation of suspects in the killing.

Aired on Israel’s Channel 10 late on Wednesday, the clip showed a wedding at which one dancing celebrant stabbed a picture of 18-month-old Ali Dawabsheh while others waved assault rifles, knives and what appeared to be a petrol bomb.
The boy and his parents were killed when their home in the village of Duma in the occupied West Bank was set ablaze in July in an incident Israeli officials described as “Jewish terrorism.”
With Israel hinting indictments in the Duma arson may be imminent, some of the suspects’ lawyers have accused Shin Bet state security investigators of trying to exact confessions with torture — an allegation they may use to challenge criminal charges in court.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended the Shin Bet’s methods as lawful and said the wedding video was proof of the need to spare no effort in curbing violent Jewish zealots.
“The shocking pictures that were broadcast … show the true face of a group that constitutes a danger to Israeli society and to the security of Israel,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
“We are not prepared to accept people who deny the laws of the state and do not view themselves as subject to them. The pictures underscore how important a strong Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) is to the security of us all.”
Netanyahu’s condemnation was echoed within his coalition government, though one allied far-right lawmaker demurred.