Arab MKs urge Kerry to intervene on Bedouin resettlement
As hundreds protest against Prawer plan in Beersheba, Arab MKs address letter to visiting secretary of state, call plan 'ethnic cleansing'
Some 800 demonstrators gathered outside the Beersheba court to protest a plan to resettle Bedouins in the Negev and the arrest of protesters in the Hura Junction on Saturday.
"Free the detainees!" the protesters chanted. Large police forces are at the scene.
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Meanwhile, members of the United Arab List Ta'al party addressed a letter to visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry in which they stated that the Prawer plan for Bedouin resettlement amounts to "ethnic cleansing" and asked his immediate assistance. They further claimed that the plan makes a mockery of international law.
MK Ahmad Tibi said the party intends to involve international figures to stop the plan.
"The police instigated the violence while the protesters were perfectly orderly," one protester said. Fifteen people were arrested during the demonstration and 11 were charged. The protest left 15 mildly injured.
Also Thursday, MK Zvulun Kalfa asked Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein to stop the legislative process citing lack of transparency and concealment of information from members of the Internal Affairs Committee.
Moran Azulay contributed to this report
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