Arab-Israeli member of Knesset, Abdel-Malek Dahamsheh, was questioned by Israeli police under caution for nearly five hours Sunday on suspicion of making comments likely to cause violence, and for interfering with police in the course of their duties, reported the Jerusalem Post newspaper.
The questioning related to comments made by Dahamsheh to reporters and during a meeting of the Israeli Arab leadership's monitoring committee last month regarding the demolition of illegally built homes in the Arab sector, said the Jerusalem Post.
According to the paper, he allegedly justified the use of force to protect homes faced with demolition, even if this meant "breaking the arms and legs" of police who came to enforce court-issued demolition orders.
However, he said that his comments had been taken out of context.
He said he had not called on people to specifically break the arms and legs of police, unless they were threatened with similar actions in trying to protect their right to shelter, said the paper.
"I call on the attorney-general to pull himself together and put an end to this fascist, racist campaign against the Arab community and its leadership. It is not good for the rule of law, the State of Israel, peace or anything positive. It is time to stop this phenomenon," said the MK.
Dahamsheh, a member of the fundamentalist Islamic Movement, was interviewed at Israel Police headquarters in Jerusalem by members of the national fraud squad, said the paper.
Police said it was likely that Dahamsheh would be questioned again in connection with the allegations, which he has categorically denied.
Dahamsheh, who was accompanied by dozens of supporters and members of the Islamic Movement, charged that it was the police who should be put on trial for killing 13 Arabs during riots at the beginning of last month and wounding hundreds of others.
The investigation of Dahamsheh followed the questioning of MK Mohammed Barakei last week, also on suspicion of inciting Arabs to attack police while protesting the demolition of illegally built homes, said the paper.
In the meantime, Attorney-General, Elyakim Rubinstein, denied conducting a witch-hunt against Arab MKs or leaders of the Arab community.
Rubinstein said he was fulfilling his obligations to uphold the law and to investigate any allegations or suspicions of incitement to violence, the paper said -- Albawaba.com
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
