Curfew Imposed in Riot-Torn Lod

Police imposed a nighttime curfew in the riot-torn city of Lod on Wednesday.

The announcement follows two nights of rampaging mobs that burned shuls, shops and cars, and threatened the lives of Jewish residents.

At the urgent request of the mayor, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu‏‏ declared a state of emergency in the Israeli-Arab city and sent reinforcements to bolster local police who had been overwhelmed by the massive disorders.

The curfew was scheduled to be in effect between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. as security forces deploy to prevent a third night of violence.

The only cause to leave one’s home during those hours will be to seek shelter due to rockets, for medical attention or due to other specifically authorized urgent needs, with police providing emergency numbers to seek such approval:

Meanwhile, a number of Arab and Jewish leaders signed a statement calling for calm in the area, Walla news reported.

According to the report, more than a dozen council members from the cities of Lod, Acre, Haifa, Tel Aviv-Yafo, and Ramle signed the statement. Arab violence was reported in some 40 towns and cities on Tuesday.

Also in Lod, a judge remanded four Jewish suspects held in connection with the killing of an Arab man on Monday.

The circumstances surrounding the killing of 25-year-old Musa Hanusa were disputed, with Jewish eyewitnesses saying the shooter fired in self-defense during rioting by Arab residents of the city.

Internal Security Minister Amir Ohana voiced disapproval of the remand. On a visit to Lod Wednesday, he said “it won’t be the last time” he disagrees with a court decision. Earlier in the day, he said the suspect should be immediately released but said he has no jurisdiction over the matter.