Police chief Cohen
Photo: Shai Vaknin
Arab-Israelis protest
Photo courtesy of Hadash
Police chief doesn't foresee return to October 2000 riots
Arab-Israelis hold dozens of rallies in protest of IDF offensive in Gaza; 'Arab leaders must convey a message of calm and restraint,' Dudi Cohen says
Following dozens of protests staged by Arab-Israelis on Sunday against the Israeli offensive in Gaza, Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen held a security assessment at the Northern District, after which he asked Arab leaders to call for restraint and cooperate with the police.
Two children were lightly injured when a demonstrator fired into the air during one of the rallies in Umm al-Fahm. A 57-year-old resident of Afula was lightly injured from stones thrown at him in the Arab-Israeli city, and two Jews were rescued by police after being attacked by locals.
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Arab-Israeli demonstrators in Dir al-Asad were dispersed with water hoses, and three of them were detained. Protestors threw stones at police officers in east Jerusalem and Kfar Qana, while additional disturbances were reported in the south Jerusalem neighborhood of Beit Safafa, where youths set tires on fire.
In the evening hours some 700 people protested in the northern Arab-Israeli town of Fureidis, and about 400 more held a rally in Haifa. PLO flags were waved in both demonstrations.
"We prepared in advance for such scenarios," Police chief Cohen said. "I do not fear a return to the October 2000 riots. Those took place at the beginning of the decade; we've all matured since then. The public has matured, we've learned our lessons; everyone knows this is a completely different situation. The Arab public has responsible leaders."
According to him, no less than 12,000 officers have been deployed in the various districts; their presence will be maintained at least for the next 48 hours, when Cohen is expected to hold another security assessment.
"I am calling on the leaders of the Arab public to convey a message of calm and restraint; we all want these incidents to end with no casualties, and therefore the cooperation between the Arab leaders and police is crucial," Cohen said.
"We live in a democratic country where everyone has the right to be heard, but we will not allow anything beyond the regular protests."
Eighteen police officers have been injured and more than 50 rioters have been detained since the IDF launched its aerial attacks on Gaza.
