Israel Matzav: Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem a 'no-go' zone for police

Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem a 'no-go' zone for police

If you get caught in an Arab neighborhood in Jerusalem like Baruch Heller did, don't expect the Jerusalem police to come to your rescue.

While at the station, Heller said, he managed to get an officer to explain why police stand on the sidelines while Arabs attack Jewish motorists. Arabs attack cars in order to force police to enter their neighborhoods, so they can attack them, the officer explained.

For that reason, he said, police have been ordered not to be drawn into areas where there is frequent trouble.

Police may fear that clashes with Arabs would lead to casualties among the Arab rioters. In the past, violent riots in which Arabs were injured have led to inquiries into police behavior, such as the Or Commission that investigated police officers following Arab deaths in the October 2000 riots.

Heller and his friend have filed a complaint with police over the incident. In addition, they have written to the Jerusalem city council and to officials responsible for Arab neighborhoods in particular, explaining the problems they encountered when dealing with the police, and expressing hope that a policy that lets the police do their job of protecting innocent citizens will be formulated.

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Israel Matzav: Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem a 'no-go' zone for police