Lod Violence Erupts During Far-Right March, Leaving One Injured

Violent clashes erupted in Lod on Sunday during a "sovereignty march" led by far-right activists Mordechai David and Zvi Berns, resulting in one Jewish youth sustaining a head injury and the arrest of 11 suspects. Police dispersed the gathering, but tensions remain high in the city, with both Jewish and Arab activists expressing fear of further escalation and criticizing the authorities' handling of the situation.

Khaled Azbaraga, an attorney with the Popular Committee in Lod, stated that the recent events were not surprising, citing a three-week pattern of provocative actions by extremist Jewish groups. He described incidents where these groups allegedly chanted racist slogans near a mosque and in the city market. Azbaraga claimed that despite warnings to the police about the potential for violence, authorities allegedly protected the group during Sunday's confrontation, which he characterized as an attack on Arab residents. He further suggested that political entities might be behind the provocations.

Huria Al-Saadi, a member of the Joint Guard in Lod, also anticipated escalation, recalling a similar incident on election day involving activists distributing flyers. She condemned the presence of outside agitators in Arab neighborhoods, calling it a provocation rather than a protest. Al-Saadi expressed concern over the fear gripping Arab residents and criticized Lod Mayor Yair Rabivo's response, contrasting it with the actions of Ramla Mayor Michael Videl during the "Guardian of the Walls" events. She fears a recurrence of incidents like the death of Yosef Hasuna in May 2021 and urges the mayor and police chief to publicly declare that such individuals are unwelcome.

Yoel Frankenburg, a member of the Religious Core in Lod, described the past two weeks as frightening, with nightly gunfire and grenades, attributing the unrest to a lack of law enforcement and control in the city. He believes that strengthening moderate elements and increasing enforcement against criminal elements are necessary but feels neither is happening. Frankenburg noted that despite the tensions, daily life between Jewish and Arab residents remains largely peaceful, but highlighted the pervasive issue of illegal weapons and insufficient response to violence against Jewish youth, stating his children are afraid to go out.

The police stated that they dispersed the gathering due to public order disturbances and arrested 11 suspects, including minors and a woman, vowing to act decisively against any disorder regardless of identity. The Lod Municipality claimed no prior knowledge of Sunday's events, with Mayor Rabivo reportedly leading efforts against violence in the Arab community and warning about serious crime and illegal weapons. The municipality added that Rabivo had contacted senior police officials and the head of the Shin Bet to prevent escalation and engaged with public leaders to calm tensions.