Police prepare for 'flightilla'

Police are preparing to deploy in force this Friday at Ben Gurion International Airport ahead of an expected attempt by hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators to land there from European flights and disrupt the airport's activity. The protesters aim to create a provocation which will position the Palestinians' demand for a right of return on the international agenda.

Police chiefs are planning on Tuesday to present their plans for dealing with the expected events to Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovich and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to police intelligence, between 200 and 500 pro-Palestinian activists from various countries are planning to land at the airport, and will participate in protest demonstrations at various flash points throughout the country, including Sheikh Jarrah, Bili'in, the security barrier and east Jerusalem.

The demonstrations are set to begin July 7, and will highlight the plight of the Palestinian refugees ahead of the Palestinian Authority's anticipated move to declare statehood at the U.N. this September.

As part of the preparations, thousands of police, both uniformed and undercover, will deploy over the weekend throughout the airport and across the country in order to locate activists. In addition, riot-control units will be sent to sensitive spots to prevent confrontations and clashes along the separation line between Palestinians and foreign activists on the one hand, and extreme right-wing activists and security forces on the other.

"We are aware of plans to disrupt [public] order if we don't allow them to enter Israel, and we are preparing in accordance," a senior police commander told Israel Hayom on Monday. "We are preparing seriously, both to prevent disturbances and because of the sensitivity and the public resonance that could develop over any event, large or small."

Referring to the planned disturbances, the Prime Minister's Office said Monday, "Netanyahu gave Aharonovich responsibility for coordinating the response to the "flightilla." Handling of the planned provocation and its participants will be conducted according to Israeli law, as well as international law and treaties. This planned event represents another attempt to undermine Israel's right to exist and breach its borders and sovereignty by sea, land and air."