Last update - 00:00 02/12/2007
Peki`in officials demand commission of inquiry into clashes
By Jack Khoury, Haaretz Correspondent
Officials from the Peki'in municipality called Saturday for the establishment of a commission of inquiry, not to be headed by a judge, to probe the violent clashes between police and residents that took place last month.
The call from the commission was heard at a conference labeled, "The Peki'in Incidents- A Blunder or a Turning Point?" which was organized by the Society to Promote Democracy in the Arab Sector, and was attended by officials from the Druze and Arab sectors, along with members of Knesset.
At the conference, Minister Without Portfolio Ami Ayalon called for the government to probe the incidents in Peki'in and to draw conclusions.
Brigadier Gen. (Res.) Amal Assad spoke about feelings of alienation among the Druze sector that serves in the army, and said "You are all saying nice things about a lifelong covenant, but when you strip your uniforms you speak differently because we aren't worth many votes."
Environment Minister Gideon Ezra maintained that police must investigate the issue, and publicly announce their findings.
Ezra also rejected the claim that morbidity rates from cancer among Peki'in residents are high because of a cellular antenna placed in the town. "I didn't come to be ingratiating, but there isn't any antenna that does not go through a radiation check... whoever doesn't believe me can check on the Internet," he said.
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