The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas has condemned the acquittal by an Israeli court of the settler charged with the burning alive of Palestinian child Mohammed Abu Khdeir.

In a press statement on Monday, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri deemed the acquittal a proof of Israel’s racism and that the crimes perpetrated by settlers are sponsored at the highest levels.

Abu Zuhri stressed that Palestinians have the right to defend themselves, calling on the international community to assume responsibility toward Israel’s terrorism.

Israeli court had on Monday found the ringleader and main suspect in the burning of Palestinian child Mohammed Abu Khdeir to death last year not guilty on the grounds of his mental health.