Arabs: No faith in Police Investigation Unit
Israeli Arab Knesset members express skepticism in renewed investigation
Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi (Hadash-Ta'al) was not overly moved by the decision of the head of the Police Investigations Unit (PIU), Herzl, Shviro, to reopen the investigation into the October 2000 riots. When Tibi learned that the Unit planned to reopen the case, he called on the PIU's chief to resign.
"We don't have faith in the PIU and one can't expect this body to investigate itself, thus, Shabiro must resign," said Tibi during a press conference. "A neutral investigation staff must be assembled, headed by an investigative judge," he added.
Tibi's colleagues also failed to express optimism in the renewed investigation, with Knesset Member Jamal Zahalka (Balad) saying: "This report… should be thrown into the garbage, we demand it be completely disregarded. International elements should be included in the investigation. I am warning that the PIU will again attempt to bury the investigation."
Knesset Member Azmi Bishara, (Balad), who took part in a protest march held by the families of the Israeli Arabs killed in the October riots (see further down), also expressed doubts about the latest developments. "There is no new investigation here, and there is no reopening of files, but a public relations stunt," he said. "From a legal perspective, this move stinks because it is trying to overtake a real investigation which the High Court ordered. The fact that the head of the PIU will reweigh their decision is an attempt to throw sand in our eyes."
Meanwhile, a march to protest the deaths of 13 Israeli Arabs in the disturbances took place on Thursday, under the banner, "loyalty to the martyrs,' to mark five years since the riots.
Families of those killed in the incidents were joined by supporters waving black and Palestinian flags, and pictures of those killed.
The brother of Muhammad Hamisi, killed in the riots, told Ynet that "the march is not connected to the report by the Police Investigation Unit. We decided to hold it before the PIU presented its findings. It can't be that 13 Israeli citizens are killed, and no one is guilty. Who killed them? We are planning something new every time, and we won't stop our activities."
Fuad Ganayim, who's brother, Amar, was killed in Sakhnin, said, "We won't stop until the policemen are tried. These big marches are happening because of what the PIU has done. The Arab public remembers well what happened five years ago."
Yaron Druckman contributed to the report
