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Photo: Ahiya Raved
Baruch Marzel
Photo: Ahiya Raved

Supreme Court: Umm al-Fahm rightist march after elections

Court rebukes State for ignoring ruling, repeatedly postponing rightists Baruch Marzel, Itamar Ben-Gvir's march in Arab city; rules rally should be held within six weeks after general elections

The Supreme Court on Wednesday slammed the State Prosecutor's Office and the police for postponing rightists Baruch Marzel and Itamar Ben-Gvir's rally in the Arab city of Umm al-Fahm, and ruled that the march should be held within a month-and-a-half after the general elections.

 

Ben-Gvir's petition to hold the rally was approved by the Supreme Court in September, and the rightists were permitted to march in the city carrying flags. Since then, the rally was delayed a number of times by the police. 

 

Ben-Gvir filed another petition with the Supreme Court claiming Major-General Shimon Koren, Israel Police's Northern District Commander and Umm al-Fahm Police Commander Shimon Ben Shevo were in contempt of court for ignoring the court's ruling.

 

In Wednesday's hearing, the rightists claimed that had the rally was organized by Peace Now or the gay and lesbian community's Open House, they would receive different treatment.

 

State Prosecutor's Office representative Michal Tzuk said the State intended to uphold the verdict, but that the march was postponed a number of times due to various threats.

 

Justice Edmond Levi was unimpressed with Tzuk's argument, and said, "If you were to come across a petition of some body that wanted to protest for peace between Palestinians and Israelis while waving Israeli and PLO flags, and there were threats heard from one side or another, would you also tell them to wait until the elections?"

 

Levi continued to say that it did not matter what date was selected for the march since it was clear that there would always be threats. "The State of Israel has to demonstrate sovereignty within one of its cities," he said.

 

The judge continued to say he had trouble understanding how "the State of Israel, that boasts an army and police officers, cannot secure such a meager demonstration".

 

Baruch Marzel said at the end of the hearing: "We are here to teach the police and State Prosecutor's Office that Umm al-Fahm is our land of Israel and they should enforce the law without fear."

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.21.09, 12:00
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