Video celebrating Palestinian baby's death inflames Israel debate on Jewish violence

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 television late on Dec. 23, 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 died 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". 

The arson, and delays in solving the case, although Israel has several suspects in custody, contributed to the outbreak of the worst Palestinian street violence in years. 

Almost daily stabbings, shootings and car-rammings by Palestinians have killed 20 Israelis and a U.S. citizen since October. Israeli forces or armed civilians have killed at least 121 Palestinians, 72 of whom authorities described as assailants, while others died in clashes with security forces. 

On Dec. 24, a Palestinian stabbed and wounded two security guards near a Jewish settlement in the West Bank, and was then shot dead, Israeli police said. 

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.