Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., April 19, 2008 Nisan 14, 5768 | | Israel Time: 00:26 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 20:48 17/04/2008 Deputy FM Whbee: Israel racially discriminates against its citizens By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent d, referring to the fact that those injured were not Jewish, but Druze. He added that "It is evident that the blood of some is more valuable than that of others." Advertisement The unit investigated three complaints issued by civilians who were wounded by gunfire during the demonstrations, and all three were closed due to a lack of evidence. In addition, the unit found that several other instances of gunfire lacked credible evidence to indicate wrongdoing. Police issued a statement on Thursday saying that they didn't see evidence that police "did not respond as trained to the threats they were facing, and there is no way to deny that there lives were in danger as well." Balad chairman Jamal Zahalka also spoke out against the decision: "The PIU has become have become experts at closing investigations against policemen who used violence against Arab protesters. The Arab public has lost its trust in this institution, in which policemen investigate other policemen." The clash in Peki'in left 40 people injured, among them two seriously, and erupted when a large police force entered the village to make arrests over a vandalized cellular phone antenna. Among the wounded were 24 police officers and 13 civilians, and three suffered gunshot wounds. Following the incident, the police force was accused of using undue force and failing to handle the incident in a safe manner. The police commissioner consequently appointed a committee to investigate the conduct of the officers during the incident. Police commissioner Dudi Cohen told the Knesset Internal Affairs committee in Februrary that if necessary, he would repeat the operation. The members of the committee found a string of failures in the conduct of the large police force that arrived in Peki'in in October 2007 to carry out the arrests. Among other things, the committee found that the operation did not achieve its express goal and its consequences were dire. "The operation was leaked ahead of time, which eliminated the element of surprise," the committee wrote. "The operation was not properly organized; the plan did not rely on the available intelligence; the definition of the operation was altered shortly before it was carried out; a gap was discovered between the actual plan and the officers' and commanders' understanding of it; police officers were left without proper command in the midst of a public disorder, and the chain of command was dysfunctional," the committee found. Related articles: MKs slam police 'unrestrained use of violence' in Druze town Police chief: If necessary, I'd okay Peki'in operation again Police chief dismisses officers over Oct. 2007 Peki'in clashes Jewish-owned home torched in northern Druze town of Peki'in Rightists buying housing in Druze town to boost Jewish population Bookmark to del.icio.us   A gentleman's word Olmert tells Haaretz he knows Iran won't have nuclear capacity. Farewell to arms B'Tselem says IDF must ban wide-range shell that killed civilians in Gaza.   1.   I am not sure that there is discrimination in this case 20:48  |  Shlomo from Tel-Aviv 17/04/08   2.   this is how israel treats its loyal arab citizens 21:34  |  tim 17/04/08   3.   She certainly does - against proud religious Jews 21:58  |  Binyamin Dissen 17/04/08   4.   Welcome to reality ... 22:02  |  Indiginous 17/04/08   5.   Shlomo, unfortunately it seems to exist 22:13  |  MaryRose 17/04/08   6.   Part of a continuing pattern of whitewashing police abuses 22:27  |  Raphael 17/04/08   7.   Druzes idiotness 22:31  |  Jose Marcio 17/04/08   8.   It is vital to listen to Whbee 23:26  |  Slibovitz 17/04/08   9.   DOUBT 23:53  |  JOJO (USA) 17/04/08   10.   This seems impossible to dispute 02:20  |  Mark Lincoln 18/04/08   11.   By freeing the Golan, Iran can help stop the discrimination 02:21  |  Aounist 18/04/08   12.   Some reminder 04:10  |  MR 18/04/08   13.   JOJO (USA) shouldnt you be 04:48  |  sam 18/04/08   14.   There is a difference 05:41  |  Israeli 18/04/08   15.   SAM GONSHAW 06:22  |  JOJO (USA) 18/04/08   16.   There might be a Difference #13 06:27  |  JOJO (USA) 18/04/08   17.   Don`t feel special - the police abuse everybody here.... 10:22  |  David 18/04/08   18.   "I`m not so sure . . ." 23:05  |  dan 18/04/08

Read & React Editorial: Israel can't demolish all of Gaza Responses: 97 Yishai to Carter: Tell Meshal that I want to discuss prisoner swap Responses: 38 IDF troops do nothing as Hebron settlers threaten German MPs Responses: 125 Rice: Syria 'most certainly an issue in nuclear proliferation' Responses: 48 IDF kills top militant wanted in plot to poison Ramat Gan restaurant Responses: 31 Rosner's Domain The Passover test and The Passion of Passover Just say no to Carter Poll: What is Carter doing in the Middle East? Let the debate begin: what's a "pro-Israeli" position? Clinton: Massive retaliation if Israel attacked (WTR) More Headlines 23:35 Qassam hits power lines in Sderot causing blackout 20:20 Israel: PA can reopen 20 police stations in West Bank 22:54 Carter meets Hamas leader, Syrian President in Damascus 19:38 Boim: 'Natural growth' reason for 100 new settlement homes 21:06 Iranian official: Asian traders make up for German sanctions 22:56 IDF: Reuters reporter risked his life by going to Bi'lin 23:25 Muslim preacher sentenced in Britain for supporting terrorism 19:55 Hamas: Shalit won't 'see light' until Palestinian prisoners freed 20:05 The Israeli 'settler' serving in Italy's parliament 20:04 Mayor to raise funds for E. J'lem Arabs to block Hamas 20:22 IDF kills militant leader wanted in plot to poison Ramat Gan restaurant 18:48 IDF troops do nothing as Hebron settlers threaten German MPs 08:57 Israel closes off West Bank and Gaza for duration of Passover Previous Editions Select Day 18 apr 17 apr 16 apr 15 apr 14 apr 13 apr 11 apr 10 apr 09 apr 08 apr 07 apr 06 apr

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