Court permits Nakba rally
Islamic Movement petitions court after state-appointed village head denies its request to hold rally marking Nakba next week
The Nazareth District Court granted Thursday a request by the Islamic Movement to mark the Nakba – a day commemorating the expulsion of the Palestinians in 1948, in Kfar Qana next Friday.
The movement petitioned the court after Ilan Gavrieli, the village's state-appointed head, denied its request to hold the rally.
"We were certain that the judge would accept our stance. Not allowing the event would have constituted a violation of the freedom of speech," said Sheikh Kamal Khatib, deputy head of the movement's Northern Branch.
This year the movement decided to link the Nakba events with ceremonies marking the birth of Prophet Muhammad and hold a big rally at the village's stadium.
While the police approved the request to hold the event, Gavrieli rejected it after consulting the Interior Ministry, on the grounds that an event of a political nature could not be held in a facility that belongs to the village council.
"They wanted to intimidate us," Khatib claimed. "Gavrieli wanted to prove to himself that he can prevent us from holding the event. He wanted to play tough, but failed. What they did will turn this rally into a huge event that will be attended by the entire Arab sector."
The Kfar Qana village council said in response that it is committed to any instruction issued by the Interior Ministry, and acted accordingly in this matter as well.
