A dozen Israeli police officers were lightly injured Saturday in pro-Syria riots staged by Druse residents of the Golan Heights to mark Syrian Independence Day.
Northern District Commander Ya’acov Ganot was among those injured by the rioting stone-throwers in Majdal Shams, the largest Druse town in the Golan Heights.
One of the injured policemen was hospitalized for observation.
Police fired tear-gas cylinders to disperse the rioters, who had apparently stockpiled stones, metal bars and other objects on the roofs of homes and in alleys in advance of the rowdy demonstration.
Four suspected rioters, all residents of Majdal Shams, were arrested.
In recent days, pro-Syrian residents of Majdal Shams have flown Syrian flags in anticipation of the Independence Day celebration.
The Druse population in the Golan is divided among pro-Syrian and pro-Israeli factions, although pro-Syrian sentiment seems to be growing.
Former pro-Israeli Druse are now referring to the Golan Heights as “occupied Syrian land which should and will ultimately be returned to Syria.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
