Druze protest gas pipeline on disputed land

Dozens of Druze demonstrators from towns in the Mount Carmel area clashed with police Tuesday near Yokneam, during protests against the laying of a natural gas pipeline on lands belonging to them before the completion of negotiations over compensation. The protestors also blocked Highway 70 in the direction of Yokneam from the north.

Three police officers were lightly injured in the clashes, and one was evacuated for medical treatment after his nose was broken. Police detained two demonstrators.

Northern District Chief Superintendent Yehuda Maman said the demonstrators violated all prior agreements and that the police had no choice but to detain rioters. "A quiet procession was agreed upon, but they began to disrupt the works, and went down to protest on the road."

Hundreds of officers continued to oversee the works and secured the surrounding roads, as well as the Daliyat al-Karmel police station, which has been attacked in the past in similar situations.

Nearly two years after work was brought to a halt following disagreements over land ownership, about three months ago work was recommenced for the pipeline. The government made the decision to restart the work and also determined the level of compensation – but contacts between the residents and the Israel Lands Administration have not led to an agreement.

'Whoever hits us, we will hit him back.' Druze demonstration (Photo: Shay Vaknin)

Fahmi Halabi, chairman of the Druze land association, who was also at the demonstration, told Ynet that 120 demonstrators began the procession, including the community's dignitaries, in hopes of stopping the works on land that belongs to the Druze.

The procession was permitted by the police to approach the area where work has begun, still outside the disputed land. The protestors got into a cavity in front of a tractor and refused to allow it to continue working. After they were removed from this site, they blocked the main highway.

Halabi told Ynet that until an agreement is reached over the land, they will use any means available to prevent the work from continuing.

"We are against violence," he said. "We will try to do everything to prevent this from becoming violent, but we don't have the power to control everything, and we ask the government to reach an agreement with us soon."

The pipeline, which is intended to supply natural gas to the power station in Haifa and many factories in the area, will pass between Dor Beach and Haifa Bay. So far, the pipeline has been laid between Dor Beach and Yokneam, and between Ha'emaqim Junction and Haifa. The work on the 11.5 km (7 miles) still remaining is expected to be completed within a few months.