Police in Akko
צילום: AFP
Police chief: 64 people arrested in Akko riots
Cohen tells police commanders to show zero-tolerance toward any expression of violence in northern city
Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen said following an assessment meeting Monday morning at the Galilee Sub-District Police headquarters in Akko that so far 64 people – 27 Jews and 37 Arabs - have been arrested during the disturbances in the northern city.
Cohen said 34 of those detained in the riots, which erupted after an Arab motorist drove into a predominantly Jewish neighborhood on Yom Kippur, were still in custody.
During the meeting the commissioner instructed the commanders to zero tolerance toward any expression of violence.
"Police forces in Akko will continue to prevent attacks on citizens and on governmental and religious establishments," Cohen said.
Police officials who took part in the assessment meeting said forces deployed in Akko would work diligently to gather evidence so that the perpetrators would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Most of the suspects are being charged with damaging property, rioting and assaulting police officers. Eighty five Akko residents have filed a police complaint, mainly regarding damage done to their vehicles.
Northern District Police Commander Major-General Shimon Koren told Ynet on Sunday that the dominant elements behind the riots in Akko seem to be Jewish instigators.
"We have no intention of letting up. We know who's behind the incitement and the arson. It's a very small group of people and they will be dealt with to the full extent of the law," he said.
A Nahariya hospital has treated 14 people – all Jews – since the rioting broke out. During the day President Shimon Peres and Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter are expected to tour Akko and meet with some of the city's Jewish and Arab residents.
