Dozens of left-wing activists and Arabs arrived at the community of Anatot on Friday, the second day of Rosh Hashanah, waving PLO flags. They explained they arrived in a showing of support to an Arab claiming some of the community’s property belongs to private Arab individuals.

During the day, community residents went out to confront the unwanted visitors, beginning with harsh exchanges of accusations, but towards evening, the events culminated in a brawl when the protestors decided to block the entrance of the community. Community resident maintain the protestors tried to damage a number of vehicles belonging to residents.

Anarchist Assaf Sharon, who made the press while waving a PLO flag on Jerusalem Day, explains they numbered about 40 people and at one point, the community gate opened and then they were under attack before they realized what occurred. He claims residents began punching them, some using hoses to whip them ad at least one person was armed with a knife. Assaf was injured and transported to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital.

The protestors report 15 injuries, including three who were transported to Hadassah Ein Kerem. Three others were taken into custody by police. A number of their vehicles were damaged, including slashed tires and broken windows. They told police that a number of their cameras were damaged by Anatot residents.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)