By Edmund Sanders, Los Angeles Times

August 21, 2012, 5:06 p.m.

JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday condemned the brutal beating of a Palestinian teenager by a gang of Jewish youths shouting anti-Arab slurs.

Though racially motivated attacks by both Israelis and Palestinians are not uncommon, the incident Thursday night in central Jerusalem has triggered a wave of soul-searching among Israelis, particularly after one suspect expressed pride in his actions because the victim was Arab.

"In the state of Israel, we are not prepared to tolerate racism," Netanyahu said Tuesday. "This is not our way.... We will quickly bring to justice those responsible for this reprehensible incident."

Israeli police have arrested seven teenagers in the attack, including girls.