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  • The Report by the State Commission of Inquiry into the Events of October 2000
  • Judge (Ret.) Theodor Or

Introduction

A year has passed since the publication in September 2004 of the report of the State Commission of Inquiry that investigated the events of October 2000. Approximately four years have passed since the occurrence of the grave events that were addressed by the report. [End Page 25]

Undoubtedly, the events of October 2000 were traumatic events, unprecedented in scope, force or nature. The events began on October 1, 2000, the day that severe rioting erupted in dozens of localities, including cities, in the Arab sector. In the course of the day's events, three citizens were fatally injured as a result of police fire, and many were wounded. On October 2, 2000, the events and their outcomes deteriorated further, with six more people killed.

The first wave of events began to quiet down on October 3, 2000, although two more citizens were killed in that day's events. At some point on October 7, 2000, following the kidnapping of three soldiers by the Hizballah organization, disturbances broke out in various locations in the Jewish sector, some evolving into confrontations between Jews and Arabs. In one location, (Nazareth, on Yom Kippur eve, October 8, 2004), two Arab citizens were killed in these confrontations, one by police fire.

The events, especially those occurring in early October, as well as those occurring on some of the following days, were exceptional and unusual in several respects. Thousands took part in these events that occurred simultaneously in many locations. The violence was fiercely and brutally intense. The recurrent pattern in various locations was extensive stone throwing by Arab rioters at passing vehicles on main roads, to the extent that closure of traffic arteries became necessary. Police forces arriving on the scene to restore order were also attacked by the rioters. Firebombs were also hurled at Jewish civilians and members of the security forces, metal balls were shot at high speed from slingshots, and burning tires were rolled by the rioters. In some cases, live ammunition was even fired at Jews. Jews were attacked on the roads because they were Jews, and their property was destroyed. In some cases, their lives were endangered and, in one incident, a Jewish civilian passerby was killed. Forests, cars and even a bus were set on fire. Public buildings were destroyed, looted and set ablaze. Public facilities and infrastructure were destroyed. Attempts were made to march into Jewish towns and terrorize them. Major traffic arteries were blocked for prolonged periods. Traffic to Jewish towns, especially in the Galilee, was severely disrupted, sometimes even suspended for extended periods. The aggression and violence were driven by great determination, and persisted for long periods, even when a variety of riot-control methods was employed in an attempt to contain them.

From their inception, these riots coincided with fierce rioting in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip. From the start of the events, prominent public and political figures in the Arab sector repeatedly stressed that the concurrence was not coincidental, and reflected reciprocal relations between the [End Page 26] Arab citizens of Israel and Palestinians beyond the Green Line [pre-1967] border. This message had already been underscored in the decision by the Supreme Arab Follow-Up Committee to announce a general strike in the Arab sector. This combination, the simultaneity of grave incidents on both sides of the Green Line, was also unprecedented.

Most important, the events made a serious dent in the fabric of life shared by Jews and Arabs in Israel. These events had the potential to evolve into a grave confrontation between the two sectors of the population.

From the outset of this discussion, it is important to remember and note that the fundamental causes of those events still exist. If action is not taken, if the situation is not transformed, we are liable to find ourselves in a similar or even graver situation in the future. Therefore, in addition to their gravity, these events constitute a warning signal for what may occur. All those involved, both in the Jewish sector and in the Arab sector, were obviously shaken by these...

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