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000000 facebook.com/BookstockMI @BookstockMI Tweet with us using #BookstockMI Further information, including other donation times: www.bookstockmi.org 248-645-7840 ext. 365 DONATE GENTLY USED BOOKS AND MEDIA Thank you for your support. REMEMBER TO SHOP OUR SALE APRIL 23-30, 20:LAUREL PARK PLACE, LIVONIA Drive-thru and Drop-off Donation Days: Dec. 4, Jan. 8, Feb. 12, Mar. 19 Loading Dock, Jewish Community Center Hours: 11am-1pm Please drop off donations during scheduled donation hours only. 2116660 December 1 • 2016 43 One-Third Of Israel Fires Due To Arson, Police Say Times of Israel S ince Nov. 22, firefighters have been battling wildfires throughout Israel that hit Haifa on Nov. 24 forcing some 60,000 residents to evacuate their homes. The residents have since been cleared to return home, though over 1,000 houses have been damaged. Police on Nov. 27 said they suspect between 30-40 of the 90 fires they have investigated thus far were started by arsonists. Police also said that although much of the evidence was destroyed by the fires, they are using forensic samples to determine whether the fires were ignited intentionally. However, police have not yet found any evidence that the arson was coordinated nationally or planned in advance. Their assessment is that the arson was local and opportunistic, the statement said. "Many of the incidents were caused by normal reasons, like weather or an electrical short circuit — but a seri- ous number were caused by arson," a police spokesperson said. Many fires starting over a small area is an indica- tor of possible arson, he added. "We are setting up a nationwide team to centralize the local details and are trying to find a connection," the spokesperson said. "We are trying to understand who is behind the arson, and we are trying to reach them." Police said that they have questioned some 50 people in connection with the fires and arrested 24. Eighteen of those arrested are Israeli Arabs, Channel 2 reported. Two of those, from the Israeli Arab towns of Umm al-Fahm and Deir Hanna in northern Israel, admitted to arson. Five people were arrested on suspicion of inciting on social media and 45 were questioned on suspicion of starting fires. Attending to the rash of an esti- mated 200 fires across the country, firefighting planes from Israel and countries including Russia, Turkey, Greece, France, Spain and Canada have dumped tons of water and retardants. Police chief Roni Alsheich said Sunday that there had been similar arson attacks in the past and that they should be considered acts of terror, Army Radio reported. * Gil Eliyahu/Israel Hayom The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit is supporting critical efforts to address the impact of more than 200 fires raging across Israel, which have dis- placed nearly 100,000 people. In many places, essential services such as electricity and train lines have been interrupted. The impact on Israelis will be long-lasting. Once the flames are extinguished, people will have to return to their dam- aged homes, schools and neighborhoods. Many community institutions that provide vital programs and services have been hit hard. To Support the Israel Fire Emergency Fund, donate online at https:// secure-fedweb.jewishfederations.org/page/contribute/israel-fire-emergency- fund. For information, call Federation at (888) 902-4673. One hundred percent of the funds collected will be used to provide critically needed aid and assistance to those affected by this emergency. A firefighting plane flies over Haifa. DONATE TO AID ISRAELI FIRE VICTIMS