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Ben-Gvir won't march to Umm al-Fahm
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Umm al-Fahm
Photo: Moshe Milner, GPO

Police delay rightists' Umm al-Fahm march

Right-wing activists' Monday parade in northern Arab town postponed following information on violent riots expected, fear of injuries. Rightist Ben-Gvir: This is a shame on the rule of law

The Northern District Police have decided to postpone a right-wing activists' march planned for Monday in the Arab town of Umm al-Fahm. The decision was made following an evaluation of the situation held Sunday.

 

In recent days, the police have received intelligence information on violent riots expected to break out in the area and fear of injuries due to Arab extremists' plans to fire at the marching activists.

 

A senior police officer told Ynet that in light of the information, it was decided to delay the march and hold another evaluation of the situation in two weeks in order to decide on a new date.

 

The considerations examined include the upcoming Knesset elections, as many politicians are attempting to make a political profit from the march. The parade will also be reexamined on the backdrop of the situation in Gaza and the upcoming holidays of Hanukkah and Christmas.

 

"Disturbances are something we can deal with, but as the forecasts refer to injuries the right thing to do was to call off the march at this time," the officer said.

 

A forum of local council heads from the area met at the Umm al-Fahm municipality building and welcomed the police announcement.

 

"This is a smart decision. I hope the decision leads to the cancellation of the parade, not just to its postponement," said Acting Umm al-Fahm Mayor Mustafa Souhil.

 

Extreme right-wing activist Itamar Ben-Gvir told Ynet in response that the police's decision was "a shame on the rule of law".

 

"Today the police have proved once and for all that they do not control Umm al-Fahm," he added. "We understand that (Internal Security Minister Avi) Dichter decided to postpone the march for political considerations due to the Kadima primaries.

 

"We plan to ask the court to stop Minister Dichter and Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen in contempt of the court.

 

The Supreme Court approved the rally in October, following a petition filed by Ben-Gvir and extreme rightist Baruch Marzel. The police agreed to hold the march on a route near the town and not in the city center.

 

Shin Bet officials expressed their concern that marching in a nearby route would also hear up the tensions, and not just in Umm al-Fahm but in other places in Israel.

 

Judge Edmond Levy told representatives of the State Prosecutor's Office during the discussion, "You do remember that Umm al-Fahm is under the jurisdiction of the State of Israel."

 

Jewish community heads oppose rally

Minister Dichter held an evaluation of the situation with various defense officials on Thursday, and decided to make a decision on one day before the planned march. On Sunday, the police decided that the parade could quickly escalate into violent riots.

 

The minister received a petition signed by 10,000 people, urging him to call off the rally. In addition, heads of Jewish local council near Umm al-Fahm, members of different associations and peace movements, said they would place a human chain of Jews and Arabs at the entrances to the city.

 

Municipality officials said they had received dozens of appeals from Jewish citizens asking whether they could visit the city, some vowing to prevent Ben-Gvir and Marzel from entering the place.

 

Among the callers were members of Sikkuy, the Association for the Advancement of Civic Equality in Israel, who, in cooperation with the municipality, held tourist events in the city over the weekend for visitors coming to show their support.

 

"The Umm al-Fahm municipality opens its homes and hearts to anyone wishing to come and visit us on this holiday," said Mayor Shiekh Khaled Hamdan, referring to the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

 

A number of groups, including Meretz, the Kibbutz Movement, Peace Now, and the Megiddo and Menashe regional councils also called for the cancellation of the rightist rally in the city.

 

Chairman of the forum of regional heads in Wadi Ara Ilan Sade said, "The rightists' rally is dynamite that could drag the region and the whole country into violent clashes. We must not allow a handful of extremists to ruin the harmony we have in the region."

 

Efrat Weiss contributed to this report

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.14.08, 12:05
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