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Sun, May 15, 2011 | IsraelNationalNews | JerusalemPost | IDF Spokesperson

An Israeli soldier stands guard on the border between Syria and Israel during a demonstration by Syrian protesters marking "Nakba" near the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights May 15, 2011. (REUTERS/Nir Elias)

PM Netanyahu on Nakba Day: ‘We’re determined to defend our borders’

In face of attempts to cross Israel’s northern and southern borders, Netanyahu says he instructed the IDF to stop all attempts to infiltrate Israel and challenges to Israel’s sovereignty. However, he also instructed the IDF to act with restraint.

On Sunday, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the “Nakba Day” events, particularly attempts to infiltrate Israel’s northern borders with Syria, Lebanon and the southern border with the Gaza Strip. “We are determined to defend our borders and our sovereignty,” he declared.

“Nakba Day” protesters are not fighting for the 1967 borders as they claim, but are opposed to Israel’s very existence, he said in a televised statement. “It is important to note that these events are happening on the anniversary of the establishment of Israel. As the leaders of these violent acts themselves say — their battle is not for the 1967 lines, but rather, against Israel’s existence, as they see that day as a disaster which must be rectified.”

Statement by PM Netanyahu regarding events in the north:

“Today thousands of people gathered along the border fence between Syria and Israel in the area of Majdal Shams. Some of them broke through the fence and infiltrated the Israeli side. Similar attempts took place along our borders with Gaza and Lebanon. I instructed the Israel Defense Forces to act with maximum restraint but to stop the infiltrations of our borders.

We hope that calm and quiet will soon be restored, but let no one be mistaken – we are determined to protect our borders and our sovereignty. It is important to point out that these events are taking place on a day which marks the establishment of the State of Israel.

The leaders of these violent demonstrations have personally stated that their struggle is not over the ’67 lines, but rather to undermine the very existence of the State of Israel, which they define as a disaster which must be corrected.

It is important that we face reality with our eyes wide open and know with whom we are dealing and what we are facing.”

Earlier on Sunday, Netanyahu said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting

““the state was founded 63 years ago on the basis of the declaration of independence which promises equality of rights for all of our citizens regardless of religion, race and sex. We extended our hand in peace to our Arab neighbors and promised equality, progress and partnership to Israel’s Arab citizens. When one looks at the region today, Israeli Arabs are the only Arabs in the Middle East and North Africa that enjoy democratic rights, equality and civil rights.

I regret that there are extremists among Israeli Arabs and in neighboring countries who have turned the day on which the State of Israel was established, the day on which the Israeli democracy was established, into a day of incitement, violence and rage. There is no place for this, for denying the existence of the State of Israel. No to extremism and no to violence. The opposite is true.”

Updates Regarding Today’s “Nakba” Riots

Over the course of the day, several riots broke out in various locations, causing friction between Israeli security forces and the rioters and inciters:

Northern Region:

During the midday hours, hundreds of Syrian rioters infiltrated the Israeli-Syrian border into the village Majdal Shams, and in the center of the village violently rioted against IDF forces. In attempt to turn the rioters back to Syria, forces fired selectively towards rioters who were targeting security infrastructure and some were injured as a result.

Additionally, along the Lebanese border, several rioters attempted to breach the border fence and to infiltrate into Israeli territory. IDF forces responded by firing warning shots.

Currently, IDF forces and Israel Police forces are operating to restore order in these locations.

In these incidents, three IDF officers and ten IDF soldiers were all injured.

The IDF emphasizes that attempts to damage property or cause harm to security forces will be responded to.

The IDF sees the governments of Syria and Lebanon as responsible for any violence or provocation towards Israel that emanates from their respective territories.

Central Region:

Multiple violent riots broke out in several locations throughout the West Bank. These riots included rock hurling, the throwing of fire bombs and the burning of tires.

South of Ramallah, in Qalandiya, approximately 600 Palestinians are violently rioting. During this riot, rocks were hurled, as were flares, at security forces who have been responding with riot dispersal means.

Furthermore, throughout the day there have been several incidents during which rioters have been seen hiding behind ambulances for cover while hurling rocks at security forces. IDF forces have been responding with riot dispersal means to contain these riots and thus far have been persistent in their efforts.

Southern Region:

In the past several hours, riots have taken place in several sites in the Gaza Strip, the most prominent of which is adjacent to the Erez Crossing. Hundreds of Palestinian rioters are hurling rocks at IDF forces. The rioters arrived at the humanitarian aid crossing and caused damage to its structures. Soldiers fired in a controlled manner in the direction, and towards the legs of the leading rioters, in order to disperse them and prevent them from entering Israeli territory. A number of rioters were injured as a result.

In addition, during the afternoon hours IDF forces identified a suspect planting an explosive device along the security fence in the northern Gaza Strip. IDF soldiers fired towards the suspects, identifying a hit.

Terrorist organizations are constantly operating with the objective to harm Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers, and have previously attempted to execute terrorist activities near the various crossings carrying humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Source: IDF Spokesperson