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Israel: Police probe threats of renewed anti-Christian violence
Posted on 28 February, 2005
Tiberias police launched an investigation Sunday to find out who was behind a pamphlet threatening renewed violence against Christians in the mixed Druze-Christian-Muslim village of Maghar, in the Galilee, that saw violent clashes earlier this month.
The pamphlet, which was distributed Sunday and signed by a group calling itself "The Heroes of Hamza Ben Ali" after a Druze saint, expressed support for the riots and included detailed threats to open fire on any Christians venturing onto the village's main road starting Wednesday.
By Jack Khoury, Haaretz, Feb 28, 2005
Seven Maghar residents and three police officers were injured in the clashes between Druze and Christians, which began after a Druze teenager spread a false rumor that Christian youths had posted pornographic pictures of Druze girls on the internet. Many Christian families fled the village as a result of the riots.
The threats were also directed against police officers from the Tiberias station who have been involved in arrests of Druze, as well as the village's Christian leadership, accused of disrespecting the Druze sheikhs.
The distribution of the pamphlet has increased tensions in the village, and Christian families have expressed fears of a new round of violence. A Christian resident of the village said the Christians are taking the threats seriously.
"We don't know who is behind the pamphlet and if it is a few people or many, but there is no doubt that these are very grave statements that can re-ignite the flames," said the resident. "This time there is no more property to burn and therefore they are threatening physical harm."
"It seems that all the talk of reconciliation have not seeped into the same group that led the pogrom," the resident continued. "I hope that the police will treat the matter seriously this time and will not wait until an additional catastrophe occurs."
In the Christian neighborhood, villagers emphasized Sunday evening that a large number of villagers do not feel they can count on police and are taking up arms themselves.
Police sources said they are aware of the villagers' lack of faith, and warned that criminal agents may try to take advantage of the tension in order to sell weapons to the villagers.
The sources said Sunday evening that the police were taking the threats very seriously, and emphasized that police forces remain in the village's Christian neighborhood to prevent acts of violence against the community.
To sign the petition for the Israeli goverment to protect the Christian citizens of Maghar, please sign here http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/mghar
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