Dozens of radical right-wing activists carried out a provocative march in the Arab Israeli Umm al-Fahm Tuesday morning. According to ynet, thousands of Israeli police officers were deployed in the area to prevent clashes between local residents and the rightists.
However, leftist lawmaker Ilan Ghilon (Meretz) and a high-ranking police officer were wounded on Tuesday in a clash between police and Arab demonstrators protesting the march. According to Haaretz, at least three other police officers were wounded in the clashes, which erupted after police arrested three Israeli Umm al-Fahm residents, who had scuffled with officers. The detainees had gathered for a counter-demonstration held by Umm al-Fahm residents. Police declared the rally to be illegal and ordered the Israeli Arab protestors, some of whom were waving Palestinian flags, to leave.
After the march ended, local residents continued to clash with police. At least 13 locals were injured during the clashes.
The municipal council of Um Al-Fahm city has decided to announce a general strike on Tuesday to protest the march. It said that the strike would cover the commercial sector and schools, which might lead to confrontations between the Arab city inhabitants and the supporters of the Israeli right, who will flock to the city to participate in the march.
Right-wing activist Itamar Ben-Gvir, who planned the march together with Baruch Marzel said, "We will just come with Israeli flags and demand that the residents of Umm Al-Fahm be loyal to the State".
Last week police approved the march after receiving an order from the High Court of Justice.
