Several held as protest against Lod demolition spirals into clashes

A protest against a building demolition in the central town of Lod spiraled into clashes with police Monday.

Police said 11 people were arrested for disturbing public order and attacking police.

Authorities said demonstrators damaged a police car and assaulted officers, lightly injuring one.

Several hundred people had gathered in the mixed Arab-Jewish city to protest last week’s demolition of a building belonging to a well-known family in the Arab community.

The municipality, which carried out the razing, says the complex was built without necessary permits.

“We place a central emphasis on the enforcement of law and order… In this regard, the municipality has adopted a firm and strict policy against any new illegal construction without bias,” the Lod municipality said in a statement.

But the demonstrators assert that the city unfairly enforces building laws against its Arab-Israeli population and does not allow for additional construction.

A similar protest against last week’s razing took place on Monday in which demonstrators blocked traffic and scuffled briefly with police.