The Commander of the Israel Police's Galilee District, Brig.-Gen. Nir Mariash, has been transferred to a new job: Head of the Police's Technological Administration.
Ynet reported that the transfer is connected to the current police inquiry into the events in the Druze town of Peki'in two months ago. In announcing the transfer, however, Police Chief Dudi Cohen did not want to make a connection between the two events. Cohen said: "After three years in which the police has had no Head of Technological Administration, and after no worthy external candidate was found, it was decided to appoint a commander from within police ranks. Brig.-Gen. Mariash was one of the leading candidates for the job and was found to be the best for the job."
Cohen said no arrests have yet been made following the Peki'in riots. "The Central Unit in Galilee District has been dealing with this matter in the past months and collecting evidence," he said, "and following that we will carry out arrests."
Jewish homes burnt down
The Peki'in riots broke out on October 30 when more than 100 police officers entered the ancient village to make arrests following the destruction of a cell phone tower. A Peki'in Druze mob attacked the police force. At least 40 people were wounded in the violence, including more than two dozen police officers, ten medics and seven residents. Two Jewish homes were burned down and their residents fled Peki'in.
Despite the evidence of intense violence by the Druze, the police found itself apologizing for its use of force. A similar pattern had unfolded following the massive riots by Israeli Arabs in October 2000
Efforts have been made by government ministers, the Chief Rabbis and the Jewish Agency to restore good relations.
: despite the fact that the Arabs had mounted a large scale insurrection in a time of war, police were blamed for using excessive force and put on public trial by the Orr Commission.
Since the riots in Peki'in, efforts have been made by government ministers, the Chief Rabbis, the Jewish Agency and other bodies to restore good relations between Peki'in's Druze and the state of Israel.
As part of this trend, Peki'in and the Israel Police held a friendly soccer game Sunday afternoon. The match was arranged by Hapoel Tel Aviv, the Jewish Agency Enrichment Fund and the Local Council. The game was held to defuse tensions between the Peki'in Druze and police following the riots in the village two months ago.
Peki'in beat the police 5:2. The locals were represented by all groups in Peki'in – Druze, Christians, Muslims and Jews. The police sent representatives from Maona and Carmiel stations.