'October Riots report ignored'

Retired Supreme Court Justice who investigated October 2000 riots where 13 Arab-Israelis were killed says government has not yet implemented recommendations

By Ilan Marciano|Last update: 06.21.05 , 17:12

JERUSALEM - The government is ignoring the Or Commission's conclusions regarding the conduct of security forces in the October 2000 riots former Supreme Court Justice Theodore Or concluded Tuesday at the Knesset's Interior Committee meeting.

The committee met to discuss the findings and recommendations of the commission, which was formed after 13 Arab-Israelis were killed by police fire during the riots. Tuesday's meeting is part of a series of discussions aimed at focusing on the civilian aspects of the conclusions.

Justice Or, who participated in the meeting said he is convinced not enough has been done since the commission filed its conclusions.

"If the Interior Committee is able to advance something, this will be its reward, he said."The conclusions are clear, there are very little contentious issues."

Or also slammed the government for not implementing a law that requires that Israeli-Arabs be appointed as government company directors.

"The prime minister called out to the public and said you must, must, must," Or said. "The real test exists in day-to-day life. Why can't the law be implemented? This is the gap between statements and facts on the ground."

A window of opportunity

During the meeting Or also differentiated between long term and short term factors that sparked the October riots.

It was unanimously agreed that one of the most heated long term factors causing the riots is the discriminatory budgets allocated for the Arab sector, he said, suggesting the government should gradually improve the situation.

Committee chairman Raleb Majadele (Labor) demanded equal rights for Israeli-Arabs in order to prevent yet another incident like the one five years ago.

In addition, Knesset member Amram Mitzna (Labor) said the commission's report is "the most positive thing since the establishment of the state in regards to the relationship between the Jews and Arabs."

"We must unite around it (the report) and must not miss the opportunity to change Israeli reality," he said.