Heads of local government in the Biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria sent a letter to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Monday, asking that every effort be made to find the people responsible for the arson triple murder in the Arab village of Duma in July.

They also asked, however, that he look into the allegations by minors who are being held as suspects in the case, regarding violations of human rights in the case.

The leaders demanded that “the ministerial committee regarding the Shabak (Israel Security Agency) be convened and an inquiry into the youths’ allegations be carried out thoroughly.”

“The serious allegations of severe torture of minors, which constitute serious breaches of human rights, must immediately be investigated,” they said. “We call on you not to allow the entire state of Israel to be dragged down, and turn it into a regime in which the investigator is also the judge and the hangman.”

The signatories include Samaria Regional Council Head Yossi Dagan, Etzion Bloc Regional Council Head Davidi Perl, and Har Hevron Regional Council Head Yohai Dimri.

The leaders emphasized the importance of finding the criminals in the Duma case. “We wish to make a clear statement, in our name and in the name of an absolute majority of our residents, against any murder and malice and harm to innocent men, women and children. This is our clear and unshakable position.”

And yet, they added, this must not be done in a way that runs counter to “the foundations of democracy and justice.”

A lawyer for the Jewish suspects said his client revealed to him that “they don’t let him sleep, he is handcuffed by his hands and feet. Senior investigators come in and start hitting him cruelly in sensitive body organs, until at a certain point he doesn’t feel anything anymore, including kicks and slaps.”

He also provided testimony regarding another suspect, saying, “he was prevented from sleeping for three days. The investigators started pulling his head back and he threw up violently. After he saw a doctor who said he needs rest, they continued the abuse.”