Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., February 09, 2009 Shvat 15, 5769 | | Israel Time: 02:32 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 22:21 31/01/2009
Israeli Arabs protest banning of PFLP founder memorial service
By Yoav Stern, Eli Ashkenazi and Fadi Eyadat, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Israel News 

Arab demonstrators rallied in Haifa on Saturday in protest of a police decision to ban an open-air memorial service for George Habash, the founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Mohammed Kanana, secretary general of Ibnaa el-Balad (Sons of the Country), which organized the rally, told Haaretz he had not been surprised by the police decision.

"Israel Police is famous for its oppression of the Arab public and for its opposition to lawful democratic activity," he said.
Advertisement
The event was supposed to be held on Saturday, marking the first anniversary of Habash's death. Among the invited speakers were Arab public figures, clergymen, and Habash's relatives living in Israel.

Kanana said that the event was not to be a support rally for the Popular Front, but merely a memorial service.

A police spokesperson said on Friday that "on Saturday a rally in support of Habash's organization was supposed to take place, under the guise of an election rally. Since it's a terrorist organization, such activities are banned by law."

Kanana said he rejects the claims that Habash was a terrorist.

"Habash fought against Zionism and imperialism," he said. "He enjoyed a special status among the Palestinians, as well as among Israeli Arabs. Terrorists are the people who carry out carnages in Palestine, Lebanon and everywhere for over sixty years. It's no different to what the Nazis and the Fascists did in Europe."

The Sons of the Country have been urging Israeli Arabs to boycott the national elections.

Meanwhile on Saturday, Balad activists demonstrated outside an election rally held by Public Security Minister Avi Dichter in the Arab village of Eilabun, in protest of his involvement in the killing of the top Hamas commander Salah Shehadeh in 2002, in which 14 civilians were killed. They carried banners calling Dichter a "murderer" and "war criminal." They also called on Arab voters to refrain from voting for Zionist parties.

Earlier this week, a Spanish judge launched an investigation into seven current or former Israeli officials, including Dichter, over the bombing in Gaza that killed Shehadeh.

Related articles:
  • Police arrest Jewish teens for allegedly assaulting Arab youth in Galilee
  • Israelis voice horror at rejection of Arab child from Jewish daycare
  • Jaffa mosque daubed with 'Mohammed is a pig,' 'Death to Arabs'
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Gaining respect
    Netanyahu values self-pride, but what about respect for Judaism's ethical heritage?
    Internal strife
    A rift between Hamas in Gaza and Syria holds up a deal to free Gilad Shalit.
      1.   Give me a break...... 02:31  |  Chami 01/02/09
      2.   LIEBERMAN TELLS IT LIKE IT IS, but Haaretz will censor this blog 06:14  |  Steve 01/02/09
      3.   disloyal, unhappy: time to leave: "pal" for the arabs; Israel for 08:26  |  dante 01/02/09
     Haaretz Hot Topics
    Israel 2009 election results
    Israel goes to the polls
    Conflict in Gaza
    Israel vs. Hamas
    Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
    More Headlines
    00:09 Egypt sources: Hamas agrees to link Shalit deal to opening of Gaza border
    01:45 ANALYSIS / Fatah fears Shalit deal will bring down Abbas
    23:34 Hamas: Fatah strongman Dahlan collaborated with Israel ahead of Gaza op
    22:21 Elections 2009 / Voting already underway for IDF and Border Police
    22:19 Elections 2009 / Olmert: I hope Livni is elected prime minister
    00:09 Israel elections / '99% of Israeli Arabs stand by their loyalty to the state'
    22:44 Venezuela arrests 11, including 7 cops, over synagogue attack
    22:57 Two Gaza rockets strike west Negev as truce talks progress
    02:12 N.Y. rabbi aims to ease Jewish-Muslim tensions in Europe stoked by Gaza op
    22:20 U.S. Jew stabbed in the face by Palestinians in Jerusalem
    01:24 Lieberman now throwing his 'no loyalty, no citizenship' motto at Shas
    17:25 Police probing veracity of IDF soldier's claim he was attacked in Jaffa
    22:55 Elections 2009 / Netanyahu: I'll keep the Golan Israeli, Jerusalem undivided
    00:48 PMO: Netanyahu approved plan for 'Israeli White House' in 1996
    19:17 Israel Election Guide: Can Netanyahu be stopped? Can Lieberman?
    11:40 U.S. Writers Guild names Israeli war film 'Waltz with Bashir' best documentary
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Passover Vacations
    The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida
    Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts
    Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit
    You can make a direct IMPACT!
    on the life of an Israeli soldier
    State of Israel Bonds
    During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help.
    SURF RAMBAM
    Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results
    Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved