Israeli media was buzzing Tuesday morning over the lynch by Israeli Druze in the Golan Heights of an ambulance carrying Syrian wounded to a local hospital late Monday.
The attack, which took place near Majdal Shams, left one Syrian rebel fighter dead and a second critically injured. It is suspected the two may have been members of the Al Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra (Al Nusra Front) terrorist group.
Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon condemned the attack and told reporters Tuesday that authorities would pursue the arrest of those who organized the deadly mob.
“We will not go back to a normal routine,” Ya’alon vowed. “Israel is a nation of law. We will not allow anarchy, violent behavior and small groups of vigilantes to take the law into their own hands.”
Israel has quietly been providing medical treatment for various select individuals with severe injuries throughout the savage civil war that has raged in Syria since March 2011.
“This incident is a violation of our values which are expressed by humanitarian medical treatment to injured Syrians and to every individual who needs it,” he added.
A small group of violent vigilantes will “not harm the special alliance the State of Israel has with its Druze civilians and will not succeed in tarnishing the face of that community [either],” he continued.
“I call on public officials who are discussing this issue to show discretion and refrain from fiery rhetoric,” Ya’alon cautioned.
“The reality in Syria is complex. We are dealing with the situation responsibly – with sound judgment – and we are updating the Druze leadership in accordance with developments.”