Police patrol (file)
Police patrol (file)Israel news photo: Flash 90


Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Yochanan Danino placed the police on Level 3 alert Saturday evening – one notch beneath the top level of alert reserved for a state of emergency.

Danino also ordered that the nationalist demonstration planned to take place opposite MK Hanin Zouabi's home in Nazareth be cancelled.

A Level 3 alert means that police courses will be temporarily halted and police personnel on holiday will be called back on duty. Roadblocks will be placed at the entrances to cities and both visible and undercover patrols will be stepped up.

About 1,200 police were to take part in providing security for a demonstration by nationalists outside the home of MK Hanin Zouabi (Balad), in protest of her continued activity against the state of Israel. The request to hold the protest was filed two months ago, after the Attorney General and Government Legal Advisor said he would not pursue criminal charges against Zouabi for her role in the Marmara incident.

Police sources had told Arutz Sheva that in effect, the entire Northern District was to be on alert to prevent clashes between the demonstrators and Arabs.

Ntionalists led by MK Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) said Saturday night they would hold the demonstration despite the police announcement. "The state is being weak toward the Arabs in Gaza and the natural extension of that is to be weak toward the Arabs in Nazareth," Ben Ari said. "The police's surrender to the thugs from Balad is unacceptable."