Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality
פורום דו-קיום בנגב לשוויון אזרחי
منتدى التعايش السلمي في النقب من أجل المساواة المدنية

Day of Rage against Prawer Plan

01.12.2013

While the discussion of the Prawer Plan bill continues at the Knesset Internal Affairs Committee, which prepares the bill for the second and third round of voting, the protest against Prawer Plan intensifies, in Israel and worldwide. November 30 was declared as a day of rage against the plan, and demonstrations took place all around the world. In Israel, demonstrations were held in Hura, Jerusalem, Haifa and Taibe.

Hura Demonstration Escalates, 28 Protesters Arrested

 Photo: Activestills.org

The main demonstration, outside of the Bedouin town of Hura in the Negev, started at 3:30 pm, and ended only around 11 pm at night. It was a peaceful demonstration with approximately 1000 participants, who chanted and held signs against the plan. Yet, after about an hour, when police decided to reinforce the already huge forces in the scene, including water cannons that were placed in front of the protesters, the demonstration heated up. Protesters that were standing at the front of the demonstration said that it was the Mista’arvim, policemen disguised as Arab protesters, who caused the escalation and started throwing stones at the police. From that point, the demonstration turned into a battle field. Police horsemen stormed into the crowd while protesters were running away into the field, stun grenades and tear gas were thrown into the crowd, and rubber coated metal bullets were shot by the police. A police helicopter flew overhead and two water cannons, one with blue dye, sprayed the crowd. Protesters responded by throwing stones at the police and lighting tires on the road. During that time, 28 protesters were arrested and were taken to the nearby police station. While a couple of the detainees were released on bail during the night and five more were released on Sunday morning, approximately 20 are still detained and will be brought to court today, for an extension of their arrest.