The Israeli Arab Follow-Up Committee announced a general strike to take place Friday and called for a protest rally in Nazareth following the killing of four people in the Israeli Arab town of Shfaram on Thursday afternoon. Israeli police expressed fears of riots breaking out in Arab areas, especially after Friday afternoon prayers.
The victims of the attack, which was carried out by an Israeli soldier, were identified as bus driver Michel Bahus, 56; passenger Nader Hayak, 55 and Hazar Turki, 23 and her 21-year-old sister Dina.
The killer, who was stoned to death by angry residents, was an activist in the extreme-right Kach movement and went a month ago to protest the projected Israeli pullout from Gaza Strip. Three of his friends were arrested between Thursday and Friday on suspicion they knew of the plan to attack Arabs, Israel Radio reported.
