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Last update - 19:46 19/05/2008 Rights groups accuse police of brutality during Nakba protest By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Nakba, police, Israel Activists and Arab rights organizations are accusing the Israel Police of brutality against protesters during a procession marking Nakba day 10 days ago in a pilgrimage to the abandoned village of Saphoria in Tzipori. Nakba day, meaning "day of the catastrophe" is an annual day of commemoration for the Palestinian people of the anniversary of the creation of Israel in 1948 (on the same day Israelis celebrate independence), which resulted in their displacement from their land. At a press conference held Monday, the activists presented video footage and photographs showing police officers beating journalists and even smashing the head of one of the protesters who was already handcuffed and sitting on the ground. The police officers and the protesters clashed toward the end of the procession. Officers fired tear gas grenades into the crowd, which, in turn, hurled stones at the officers and passing vehicles. According to the Arab organizations, the conflict began when the police officers tried to steer the protesters, who were carrying Palestinian flags, away from the shoulder of the road. Eye witnesses told Haaretz that this occurred after several verbal requests to stay away from traffic went unheeded. Thirteen Israeli Arab citizens were arrested in connection to the clashes at the demonstration, and they were all later released without charges. In the remand hearing of the one of the detainees, the court rejected police allegations that Saada Abu Hatoum hurled stones at police officers before he was arrested, saying that a video tape presented by Abu Hatoum's representatives disproves the police claims. "This tape refutes the version presented by the petitioners and therefore I don't think that there is sufficient suspicion to justify his arrest," the judge wrote. The tape revealed that Abu Hatoum, a news editor for "Shams" radio and a volunteer with Arab human rights organizations, videotaped an incident in which a police officer kicked another detainee in the face. After that, officers chased him to arrest him, ignoring his calls that he was a journalist. The video footage that he filmed was erased by the police when they confiscated his cell phone, Abu Hartoum said Monday. Additional photographs and video footage filmed at the scene revealed that other photographers and journalists were attacked by police officers, including the CNN correspondent in Israel. The Adalah Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel and the Arab Association for Human Rights are planning to submit a report on the incident and demand that the Police Investigations Department look into the events. Attorney Fahim Daoud of the association said at Monday's press conference that "I thought that the military regime was behind us, but I was wrong. The police have the same attitude toward Arabs as back then, and act like a political party." The Northern District police rejected the allegations that the violence was premeditated and issued a statement that preserving the public's freedom of expression is the police's highest priority. According to the police, the organizers of the procession were unable to comply with the police guidelines, despite their efforts, and could not control the protesters who began to act out while spilling into traffic on the road. The police added that the unruly crowd forced them to close off the road, in order to protect the drivers. The police also responded to the allegations by declaring that the protesters hurled stones at the police forces, wounding several officers, among them a district commander. Several of the officers required hospitalization, the police said. The police maintained that the crowd dispersal methods they used to subdue the unruly protesters were used within the confines of the law, but added that the protesters had every right to ask the Police Investigations Department to investigate the incident. Related articles: Five police officers and two Arab MKs hurt as clashes erupt at Naqba Day protest Palestinian refugees, Israeli left-wingers mark Nakba Palestinians clash with IDF troops during Nakba protests Cartoon film on Nakba describes Jews as 'enemies of homeland' Bradley Burston: Sixty years of Nakba, 60 years of nothing Bookmark to del.icio.us   Fear of extinction The state of over 20 species of birds in Israel has worsened considerably. Taking advantage Jerusalem police probe possible gang rape of disabled woman.   1.   Partisan political complaints 18:45  |  Binyamin Dissen 19/05/08   2.   Are Israeli judges members of "Tutsi for Hutu" organization? 18:56  |  Absolute Sweden 19/05/08   3.   Why not recognize the equal rights of Arab citizens? They have 19:01  |  Israeli Arab 19/05/08   4.   Chicago 1968 19:24  |  Mark of Lewiston 19/05/08   5.   Why Were Police So Gentle in This Case ? 19:30  |  Straight Talk 19/05/08   6.   Why would Israel recognize anyone?? 19:37  |  Abba 19/05/08   7.   They extort for political rights with the aim of a Greater Syria 20:08  |  Joseph . E 19/05/08   8.   The Gaza settlements 20:24  |  Abba 19/05/08   9.   cnn correspondent in israel is activist for pali cause 20:27  |  paulo2005 19/05/08   10.   The world saw these videos 20:41  |  Marilyn 19/05/08   11.   It`s what Israel does.. 20:50  |  gearoid 19/05/08   12.   watch the video of CNN correspondent in israel 21:00  |  paulo2005 19/05/08   13.   arabs demonstrate agfainst the creation of Israeli state 21:05  |  paulo2005 19/05/08   14.   Your All full of it. Try this anywhere else in the world 21:18  |  Levi 19/05/08   15.   Their `nakba`... 21:49  |  Avi Yerushalmi 19/05/08   16.   Police Who Cannot Control Hebron Settlers Beat up Non-Jews 22:02  |  Johan Odin 19/05/08   17.   paulo2005 - Are you are embarrassed by Israel`s Original Sins? 22:22  |  Johan Odin 19/05/08   18.   ısraeli arab 22:39  |  Aby 19/05/08   19.   #17 23:23  |  Jane 19/05/08   20.   Yasher Koach Mishtarah 23:26  |  Mordechai 19/05/08   21.   What Do You Expect From CNN? 23:36  |  Mordechai 19/05/08   22.   are they joking. watch the vids - israeli cops are gentle kittens 00:07  |  frenz 20/05/08   23.   Israel Independence Celebrations in Arab Countries 00:28  |  Rob 20/05/08   24.   #15Avi Yerushalmi. "The Arabs have to suffer in silence." 00:33  |  Maureen Ann 20/05/08   25.   The Israeli undercover police are pathetic 01:15  |  Dutch 20/05/08   26.   Hurled stones at passing vehicles? 01:34  |  Why the poor dears 20/05/08   27.   #14Levi. Ilan Pappe: Israel committing `memorycide.` 01:42  |  Maureen Ann 20/05/08   28.   Israeli authorities have a long tradition of terrorism and lying 02:07  |  anti-racist 20/05/08   29.   "Go, play in traffic!" 02:59  |  Akiva P 20/05/08   30.   #27 04:47  |  Jane 20/05/08   31.   Israels perversity... 06:12  |  Nathan Rai 20/05/08   32.   Ans to #27 06:18  |  Nathan Rai 20/05/08   33.   #19 Jane - I bet you can`t prove your ancestors ever lived there 16:44  |  Johan Odin 20/05/08

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