Livni in Akko
Photo: Ahiya Raved
Livni: We won't allow vigilantism
Kadima chairman calls on all Israeli citizens to abide by law, respect Yom Kippur when outside their homes
Kadima chairman Tzipi Livni censured the Yom Kippur riots in Akko asserting, during a meeting with city mayor Shimon Lankry, that citizens cannot be allowed to take the law into their own hands.
"All Israeli citizens should respect the holy day of Yom Kippur when they are outside their home," she said Friday.
Akko Riots
(Video) Arab vehicle stoned after entering predominantly Jewish area on Yom Kippur; rumor that motorist killed spreads, prompting hundreds of Arab residents to arrive at the scene; three injured in ensuing clashes;
She said that the riots that took place on the holy day are a watermark, from which citizens must decide "whether they hang on to their anger from yesterday or move forward to improve the relations between Jews and Arabs."
Earlier Friday, Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter toured the cleft city and promised that "the instigators (of the riots) would be brought to justice."
He added that "police forces had operated to the best of their ability to calm the rioters and separated the Jews and Arabs with their bodies, as it is their job to do. This is evidenced by the fact that the riots were put down with minimal casualties, most of which were policemen."
Police commissioner Dudi Cohen announced on Friday that 700 police would be deployed around the city in order to ensure a complete restoration of public order. Simultaneously, Mayor Lankry announced that the Akko Israeli Theater Festival, which was scheduled for next Wednesday, would be postponed indefinitely.
