Police orders media to hand in photos of Bedouin riots
Violent riots in south against bill to resettle local communities lead police to demand media outlets to bring forward all evidence from 'Day of Rage' protests
Law enforcement authorities are attempting to recruit the media in the conflict against last Saturday's rioters.
The Beesheba Magistrates' Court has issued an order for all media outlets to hand over to the police all pictures documented from Bedouin protests on Saturday against the Praver Bill to resettle communities in the Negev. The southern branch of the police's Central Intelligence and Investigation Unit submitted the request for the order.
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In Saturday's riots, which took place across the country, dozens of protesters and 15 police officers were injured lightly. Hundreds participated in the main demonstration at Hura Junction waving Palestinian flags and calling to fight for their homes. Police shot tear gas and used other riot equipment to disperse the crowd.
Protests, Saturday (Photo: Getty Imagebank)
(Photo: Getty Imagebank)
(Photo: Reuters)
(Photo: AFP)
"The hourglass is going backward as far as we are concerned," one of the protesters in the Negev said Saturday during the "Day of Rage" against the bill. "The State of Israel wants to remove us from our homeland and our property, and we won't agree to let that happen."
Another protester said that the Interior Conference's tour of eviction focused on places "that it was easy for them to visit."
Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch condemned the protesters' behavior. "It's inconceivable that rioters will take out their rage on these police officers, who are just doing their job, being loyal to keeping law and order. Israel Police is ready for legal and legitimate protests. When there is violence like this against the officers it's clear that the rioters' goal is not a legitimate and legal protest."
Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino said the police was ready for this type of protest, and therefore it prevented an escalation of violence. "The police will allow legitimate protests, and it will not allow infringements of law and order or for the daily routine of residents to be violated."
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