Arab-Jewish tensions intensified today in Lod, which is seen as a tinderbox where the widespread violence seen earlier this month could easily be reignited.
There is fury among both the Jewish and Arab populations of the city. Last night, four molotov cocktails were thrown into a Jewish family home. The incident only caused light injuries but it has severely shaken the sense of calm among the Jewish population.
As the Jewish community absorbs news of the latest attack, around 100 members of the Arab community held a high-profile protest to express anger over the killing of Musa Hassouna amid Arab-Jewish clashes earlier this month.
They were calling for improved investigations and decrying the fact that four Jewish suspects were arrested but have all been released on bail after claiming they acted in self-defence.
Lod is the city where a Jewish man, Yigal Yehoshua, 56, was attacked by an Arab mob, causing injuries that led to his death on May 17, a week later.
Ayman Odeh, head of the main Arab political party, Joint List, spoke at the rally in Musa Hassouna’s memory, claiming that the suspects are being treated softly because the victim was Arab, and attacked Public Security Minister Amir Ohana.
He said: “If the murdered man was a Jew, Ohana would have been the first to make sure he was severely punished,” adding that justice was not being served because the victim was Arab. Israeli police and authorities say that due process if being followed and investigations are proceeding seriously.
Police chief Kobi Shabtai went to Lod today in the light of last night’s attack and promised to also proceed with this investigation. "It is in its infancy but I am sure it will be a matter of time before we get our hands on the suspects,” he said.
Politicians have been expressing shock today at the attack. Meir Porush of the United Torah Judaism party said: ”The state must treat the rioters in Lod with a heavy hand.
“Residents in Israeli cities must not be afraid to leave their homes, or feel they need to take shifts guarding themselves to protect their families.
“I will talk to the Minister of Internal Security and the police commissioner and demand that they have a police presence in order to restore calm to the city of Lod.”
Ofir Sofer of Likud hit out at the police for failing to crack down on Arab rioting and claimed that the protest held by Arab residents today threw oil on the fire. “The demonstration in Lod was not a legitimate protest but more a show of incitement,” he claimed.
“Molotov cocktails, stone-throwing and shooting incidents will continue, as long as the Israeli police do not decide to defeat terrorism.”
