Beinish criticizes police over Sheikh Jarrah protest
Police once again rebuked by Supreme Court over its handling of left-wing protest in east Jerusalem neighborhood. Court president says more effort should have been made to allow demonstration
Supreme Court judges leveled harsh criticism at the police Thursday during a hearing on a petition filed by Sheikh Jarrah residents demanding to be allowed to hold a demonstration on Saturday night against the evacuation of some of the residents from their homes.
The protest in the east Jerusalem neighborhood was not authorized by the police. The justices wondered why no effort had been made by the police to find an appropriate time for the protest.
Jerusalem District Police Chief Aharon Franco, who attended the hearing said, "Over the past six months the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood has been one of the most volatile sites in Jerusalem. No day goes by without conflict or stone throwing. We are deployed there on a daily basis." Supreme Court President Dorit Beinish replied, "This reality is very hard for the police but is one it must deal with."
Tensions have been mounting in recent weeks surrounding a compound created by Jews at the heart of the Arab neighborhood in houses from which Palestinian residents were evacuated after a prolonged legal battle. The protestors, including local residents and left-wing activists complained of the police's sever conduct towards them.
The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court has already expressed its support of demonstrations at the site last month when it ruled the protests were legal and ordered the release of detained activists.
In Thursday's court hearing judges once again sided with the demonstrators and criticized the police.
Court President Beinish was bewildered at the police's assertion of preventing the protest lest it disturb prayers near the Tomb of Simeon the Just.
"Isn't it possible to find an appropriate time for the demonstration which won't disturb the prayers?" she asked. "The question is whether the police made an effort to find an alternative solution. We shouldn’t have to make plans for you. The police should see to it that the incorporation of the protest not disturb public order."
Balance needed
Justice Uzi Fogelman thought an alternative location could have been found. "We need dialogue and balance to address public order requirements on the one hand, not blocking the right to protest on the other. We are in year 2010, not 1980 and do not want to revert to the previous age."
State representative Attorney Uri Keidar said, "Sheikh Jarrah is a compound which has been causing great tensions in recent months. We feel there is an offence to public order and reality has proven these protests include rioting."
President Beinish eventually recommended that the State Prosecutor's Office consult with police forces in order to negotiate an alternative solution with the petitioners.
A decision regarding the petition is slated to be reached later on Thursday.
