Israeli police clashed on Wednesday morning with rock—throwing youths in the Arab—Israeli town of Uhm el— Fahm, firing stun grenades and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators who were protesting a march in the town by ultra—right wing Israelis.
There were no reports of serious injuries and the march went ahead.
The demonstration was staged to mark the 20th anniversary of the assassination of ultra—right—wing Israeli politician Meir Kahane and to protest against the Islamic Movement, which wants to replace Israel with an Islamic state.
About 30 activists, led by ultra—rightists Baruch Marzel and Itamar Ben—Gvir, and also including far—right legislator Michael Ben— Ari, travelled by bus to the northern Israeli city, which has a population of 44,000 and is a stronghold of the Islamic movement.
“I turn to the prime minister and say: There is no reason that the Islamic Movement should be allowed to exist in Israel,” the Jerusalem Post daily quoted Ben—Ari as saying.
“In Egypt, it’s illegal. In Jordan, they’re not allowed to have any influence. There is no reason we should be a stupid democracy and let people who want to destroy us have a voice,” he added.
Kahane, an American immigrant to Israel, advocated Israeli annexation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and called for the forced removal of all Palestinians.
He served one term as a legislator in the mid—1980s, but his extremists view saw him and his party banned form participating in further elections.
He was shot dead by an Egyptian—American in New York in 1990.
