Arab factions condemn security forces' response to riots in Druze town over installation of cellular antenna. 'I am astounded by the police's violence toward civilians,' says MK Tibi
Arab Knesset members on Tuesday morning slammed the police's conduct in response to the riots which broke out in the Druze town of Peki'in following the installation of a cellular antenna in the area.
Twenty-seven police officers and about 10 local residents and Magen David Adom paramedics were injured in the clashes. One of the rioters was shot in the stomach by a policeman.
Peki'in Riots
Dozens injured in Galilee clashes / Ahiya Raved
Cellular antenna installed in Druze town of Peki'in prompts riots; 27 police officers and about 10 local residents and MDA paramedics hurt, two of them in serious condition. One of injured shot in stomach by police
MK Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta'al) said that he was "astounded by the police's violence toward civilians."
He called on Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter to remove all the special police forces from the village and launch an investigation into the incident.
Hadash chairman, MK Mohammad Barakeh, harshly condemned the "police's aggression" against the Peki'in residents, and called on the police to end the siege on the town, which he claimed "has damaged the holy sites".
MK Dov Khenin (Hadash), who also serves as head of the Knesset's environmental-social lobby, also called on the police to lift the "curfew" imposed on Peki'in and to launch an investigation into the police's conduct.
Khenin called on Environment Minister Gideon Ezra to work to remove the cellular antennas from the town, saying that "hurting protestors acting for the protection of their health and environment is a severe precedent. The cancer epidemic in Peki'in is a real concern and the answer for dealing with the plague."
MK Hanna Swaid (Hadash) also condemned Tuesday's events, saying that he had asked the internal security minister on Monday to look into the incident.
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