Riots at Jabel Mukaber (Photo: Guy Assayag)

JABAL MUKABER, East Jerusalem – On March 16, hundreds of right-wing activists evaded police barricades and entered Jabal Mukaber, an Arab neighborhood in East Jerusalem.  Once in the Jabal Mukaber, the demonstrators began throwing stones at the homes of the Arab residents.  Police moved in to disperse the demonstrators, sparking violent clashes between the two groups.  After several hours, the police successfully ended the demonstration and forced its participants to leave.  The incident resulted in minor injuries to two policemen and 22 protesters arrested on suspicion of stoning Arab residents’ houses.

Following the March 6 attack at Mercaz Harav yeshiva, there has been discussion of whether Israel should raze the home of Alaa Abu Dhaim, the gunman who carried out the attack.  Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter issued an order for its demolition.  A decision which is supported by Defense Minister Ehud Barak.  However, the order has not been carried out.

Groups organizing the demonstration stated that since the government has failed to demolish Abu Dhaim’s home, it was their duty as Israeli citizens to carry out the order.  One of the organizers, Baruch Marzel, stated, “The police must know that there is a price for the fact that they are not demolishing the terrorist’s house. Apparently other people have to complete the job for this to happen.”

For more information, please see:
Al Jazeera – Israelis Storm East Jerusalem – 16 March 2008

Ha’aretz – Right-Wing Demonstrators Try  to Storm Home Village of Mercaz Harav Gunman – 16 March 2008

Jerusalem Post – 22 Arrested in Right-Wing Demonstration – 16 March 2008

Middle East Times – Ultra-Nationalists Clash with Israeli Police in Jerusalem – 16 March 2008

Yedioth News – Police: We were Surprised by Intensity of Rightists’ Riots – 16 March 2008

Yedioth News – Rightists Hurl Stones at Arab Homes in Jerusalem – 16 March 2008