JERUSALEM (JTA) — Hundreds of Bedouin protested Israel’s demolition of a mosque built illegally in a Bedouin city.
The mosque demolished Sunday morning by the Israel Land Authority in Rahat, located near Beersheba in southern Israel, was built with donations by the northern branch of the Islamic Movement, a radical organization dedicated to the destruction of Israel.
Some of the protesters threw rocks at the 700 police officers who were dispatched to protect the Israel Land Authority personnel. A general strike was called in Rahat, which is home to more than 50,000 Bedouin.
Police officers remained in the Negev Sunday afternoon out of fear of rioting by Bedouin and Arab residents, according to reports.
The Beersheva District Court had rejected a final appeal by the mosque in July to stop the demolition.
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