Alik Ron resumed his testimony at the Orr Commission this morning. He is testifying about the Arab riots of last October, the events that led up to them, and his role at the time as Northern District Police Commissioner. After discussing the background yesterday - he said that he had warned for years that Arab violence could explode, but was ignored - Ron is being asked today to discuss in detail the events that ended in the deaths of violent Arab protestors in Um el-Fahm.
Ron said that he brought in snipers only after a woman motorist on the main Hadera-Afula artery was wounded by the Arab violence and the lives of other motorists appeared to be in danger. The Arabs were using dangerous slingshots, Ron said, and \"if I\'d had 2,000 policemen I would have raided them, but because I didn\'t, I was forced to use snipers.\" He admitted that he did not inform his superiors that he had taken this action. Deputy Public Security Minister Gideon Ezra said today that if the committee recommends any disciplinary action against Ron, \"I will resign.\"
Ron said that he brought in snipers only after a woman motorist on the main Hadera-Afula artery was wounded by the Arab violence and the lives of other motorists appeared to be in danger. The Arabs were using dangerous slingshots, Ron said, and \"if I\'d had 2,000 policemen I would have raided them, but because I didn\'t, I was forced to use snipers.\" He admitted that he did not inform his superiors that he had taken this action. Deputy Public Security Minister Gideon Ezra said today that if the committee recommends any disciplinary action against Ron, \"I will resign.\"