Umm al-Fahm protest: 'Barak a war criminal'
Surprise visit by defense minister prompts outrage among Arab city's residents who hold him accountable for deaths of 13 Arab-Israelis in October 2000
Dozens of Umm al-Fahm residents gathered in the city's main road on Wednesday and protested against Defense Minister Ehud Barak who held a surprise visit in the area. Minister Barak and fellow members of his Independence faction attended a dinner to break the Ramadan fast at a local's house.
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Police blocked the al-Dahar neighborhood for the duration of the visit.
The protesters chanted "Barak is a war criminal, he's not wanted in Umm al-Fahm" and waved posters which read "We won't forget the killing of 13 martyrs in October 2011." The signs were referring to the events surrounding the al-Aqsa intifada in which 13 Arab-Israelis were killed.
Wassim Husri, a member of the Hadash movement, said: "We oppose Barak's visit. It would have been better to invite beggars who are hungry for food Instead of inviting him for a dinner and making such an effort.
"If Barak thinks that the residents of Umm al-Fahm have forgotten his responsibility for the killing of 13 shahids in October 2000, he is deluded."
Barak had served as prime minister during the 2000 intifada. Husri promised to take to the streets in September, as the Palestinians take their statehood bid to the UN. "We shall not remain with our hands tied behind our backs," he said.
Mamduh Aghbaria from the Balad movement said: "Barak's visit is a provocation attempt. He is apparently trying to garner support from the residents but we have decided we shall not endorse any Zionist party.
"They make promises which they do not keep. A man like Barak belongs in jail. He's a war criminal."
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