State prohibits right-wing procession in Umm al-Fahm

Prosecutor's Office claims before High Court that Itamar Ben-Gvir's request to parade Israeli flags through Arab city would almost certainly lead to violent riots police would not be able to prevent; activists offered alternate venue for protest

Aviad Glickman
Published: 09.03.08, 19:25 / Israel News

The State Prosecutor's Office appealed to the High Court of Justice on Wednesday against right-wing activist Itamar Ben-Gvir's demand to hold a right-wing procession in which Israeli flags would be paraded through Umm al-Fahm. According to the prosecution the event could deteriorate into violent riots.

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The State had been asked to respond to the petition filed by Ben-Gvir against Northern District Commander Shimon Koren and Israel Police after being denied the right to parade in the Arab city.

The State responded by stating that previous experience and the level of preparation of police and Shin Bet raised concerns that the procession would almost certainly lead to the violation of public order and peace in the area.

The right-wing activists were offered the option of holding the event at the southern entrance to Umm al-Fahm, along the road surrounding the city. According to the State this option allows the activists to express freedom of speech while providing the police with an adequate opportunity to patrol the area and guarantee public safety.

Ben-Gvir has a history of involvement in events of this nature, which turned violent. In June he rioted along with other activists during a speech by President Shimon Peres in Ariel. The rioters called the president "an Oslo criminal" and a "terrorist".

After the terror attack that took place in Mercaz Harav yeshiva in Jerusalem Ben-Gvir arrived in the village of Jabel Mukaber with a group of activists aiming to destroy the terrorist's home, an event that incited a riot in which a number of police officers were injured.

He was also involved in a violent conflict that erupted between settlers and left-wing activists in Hebron, and was detained after infiltrating an IDF base in an attempt at provocation prior to a visit by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

The State rejected Ben-Gvir's claim that the prevention of the procession constitutes a violation of the activists' freedom of speech, citing precedents set by the court in order to balance freedom of speech with social order.

The prosecution also stressed that police were not denying the activists the right to protest or attempting to contain their message – which is why they were offered an alternate locale for the procession, one which would allow police to better secure the area.

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