 |
 |
 |
|
|
A demonstrator gives instructions to others as they block a main intersection during an anti-disengagement protest in Jerusalem. (AP)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| By israelinsider staff and partners May 17, 2005 |
|
| |
 |
| Israeli police officers scuffle with anti-pullout demonstrators as they block a main road near Tel Aviv. (AP) |
| |
Traffic ground to a halt throughout the country Monday, as thousands of anti-disengagement activists blocked dozens of major thoroughfares and about 100 intersections, causing major traffic jams throughout the country.
Anti-disengagement activists deemed the day's events an "overwhelming success," even though more than 300 activists were detained and even though Internal Security Minister Gidon Ezra rejected criticism of police over the massive anti-disengagement protest.
Ezra said "the police did its job. We didn't want things to get violent, even though in some places officers were pelted with rocks."
He added that the police have limited resources. "We are prepared to deal with individuals, not thousands." Over 4,000 officers were deployed to handle yesterday's protest.
Senior police officers said Monday that during the disengagement , the problem will be much greater, as many officers are called to take part in removing people from their homes in Gaza while trying to perform regular police duties as well and responding to more road protests closer to the time.
"It will be impossible to prevent road blockings, but we will do everything in our power to open up blocked roads quickly," said one spokesman.
Other police sources said that, despite prior intelligence and training for the activists' planned 'dry run,' on Monday they proved they are incapable of coping with so many demonstrators at the same time.
At the same time, some protestors have alleged that members of the police force actually helped with the protest. Group member Orit Schpitz told Ynet "the operation was organized in 24 hours. Our success stemmed not only from our strength and unity, but also from the cooperation with police officers, who not only refrained from reacting violently but even helped a bit."
"We have noticed a split within police ranks; police officers relate to us, we are their brothers," she said. "When I say the police officers helped us, I mean some of them identified with our struggle and in some cases allowed the road-blockings."
Schpitz said the group would continue with its anti-disengagement activity.
"We will continue to draw the nation closer to us and act with resolve," she said. "In the end we will defeat this evil concept."
A message on the organization's internet site following Monday's events read "Today the Israeli nation understands the transfer influences each and every one of us. We call on all those who hold the land and nation of Israel close to their hearts to join the struggle."
In the end, police actually arrested more than 292 activists, including 122 in Jerusalem. Fifty-six other demonstrators were detained for questioning and released.
The National Union party hired several lawyers to represent those charged. A party spokesman denounced the "unrestrained arrests", and said the need to hire legal counsel illustrated the absurdity of the situation "in which our finest young people suddenly have criminal records? as if they threaten public safety."
Following the protests, right-wing Knesset Member Aryeh Eldad said he would establish two field hospitals to treat victims of violence during the disengagement.
Right-wing activists disconnected phone lines at Petach Tikva Magistrates court, near Tel Aviv, where -- at the Disengagement Unit at Maasiyahu Prison -- Monday's detained road blockers faced judges.
The cutting of the phone lines at the court was a "non-violent protest" against court support for government policies and aimed to curb "the destruction of democratic institutions in Israel," the activists said.
In the meantime, most of those arrested -- among them several minors -- have refused to identify themselves and are not cooperating with police.
Deputy State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan said his office would have zero tolerance for demonstrators who break the law.
Nitzan said that those who blocked roads during anti-disengagement protests endangered peoples' lives in dozens of cases. "We will not tolerate cases of violence and road blocking. On this matter we will demonstrate zero tolerance. Our policy is to investigate and to arrest and, in especially serious cases, to ask the court to detain the suspects until the end of the legal proceedings against them," Nitzan told the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee.
"We maintain a dual policy in all matters related to illegal acts against the disengagement plans," Nitzan said. "On the one hand, we'll show zero tolerance to violent incidents. We won't tolerate violence, stone throwing, and road blocking.
"On the other hand, he said, "there's the other, no less important aspect -- allowing the right to protest."
In the meantime, a Jerusalem Magistrate's Court has ruled there was no justification to the continued detention of Ariel Wengover and Shai Malka, two leaders of the "National Home" movement suspected of organizing the nationwide road-blocking protests on Monday.
The court ordered freeing the two on bail, but their release was delayed by one day in order to allow the state time to appeal the decision.
Wengover and Malka were arrested two days ago in a raid by Jerusalem police on their groups office in the city's Kiryat Moshe neighborhood from which the Monday protests had been organized.
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
|
