Photo by: Associated Press

Supreme Court OK's anti-Salah protest

By JPOST.COM STAFF
07/29/2010 18:02

Demonstrations not allowed at Islamic Movement offices.

Talkbacks (3)

The Supreme Court granted permission Thursday for a right wing protest against Raed Salah and the Islamic Movment in Umm el-Fahm, although it did not allow demonstrators to protest in front of Islamic Movement offices, or Raed Salah's house. The compromise was agreed to by the State Prosecutor's Office.

The protest was requested by right-wing activists Baruch Marzel and Itamar Ben-Gvir, as well as MK Michael Ben-Ari.

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The activists wanted to go further and be able to protest at Salah's house, or the offices of the Islamic Movement.

Ben-Gvir said "The High Court has made it clear to the police that we have a right to protest against Raed Salah and his Marmara-supporting friends. I hope that eventually the High Court will allow us to demonstrate outside Salah's private residence and be awarded the rights given to Arabs and leftists."

Ben-Gvir likened the protest to the Gay Pride Parade, occuring on Thursday in Jerusalem.

"It's unacceptable that Umm al-Fahm be immune from protests. In several hours there will be a parade which bothers me greatly with people wearing clothes I wouldn't wear to the beach. Nevertheless, we accept the court's ruling," he said.

During the court's session, the police warned that over 2,000 officers would be needed to secure the demonstration, if previous protests were any estimates, and that officers were wounded last time.

Raed Salah, head of the Islamic Movements northern branch, recently began serving a 5-month jail sentence for assault on a police officer at a Jerusalem protest in 2007. Salah also participated in the May 31 Gaza Flotilla which was boarded by Israeli commandos, leaving nine Turkish citizens dead.