Minister: Police didn't fail

Internal Security Minister Gidon Ezra rejects criticism of police over Monday's massive anti-disengagement protest, says force has limited power over non-violent protesters; arrestees slated for Disengagement Unit at Maasiyahu Prison

Reuters | Published: 05.17.05, 08:39

TEL AVIV - Settlers and their supporters did on Monday just what they said they would: they blocked traffic at some 40 intersections in a massive countrywide protest Wednesday, snarling traffic during the afternoon rush hour and bringing traffic to a halt around Israel.

But Internal Security Minister Gidon Ezra was full of praise for police, saying the force had "not failed" in its mission to maintain public order, and that police deployed at traffic lights as they were meant to.

"The police did their job," Ezra said. "We didn't want things to get violent, even though in some places officers were pelted with rocks."

He added that the police have limited resources to deal with non-violent protest.

"We are prepared to deal with individuals, not thousands," he said.

Change of heart

Just several weeks ago, after a previous road-blocking incident, Ezra said the government had "failed" by failing to prevent the protests.

Senior police officers said Monday that the problem may be greater during the disengagement, as many officers are set to be called in to take part in removing people from their homes in Gaza while trying to perform regular police duties, as well, and by responding to more road protests.

"It will be impossible to prevent road blockings, but we will do everything in our power to open up blocked roads quickly," said one spokesman.

Together to Maasiyahu

About 300 protesters were arrested during Monday's protest. Most will be questioned and remanded to a special "disengagement section" at Maasiyahu Prison.

In Jerusalem alone about 130 people were arrested. Some refused to identity themselves and did not carry identification.

Field hospitals to be set up

The National Union Party has hired several lawyers to represent those charged. A party spokesman denounced the "unrestrained arrests," and said the need to hire legal counsel illustrated the absurdity of the situation, "in which our finest young people suddenly have criminal records…as if they threaten public safety."

Following the protests, right-wing Knesset Member Aryeh Eldad said he would establish two field hospitals to treat victims of violence during the disengagement.