Some 250 Border Police troops and policemen arrested on Tuesday 30 Bedouin suspects for involvement in riots and throwing rocks during the Jewish National Fund’s planting activity in the Negev last week.
The operation took place at several localities in the Negev region, and in addition to the 30 suspects arrested, a bus with 28 illegals from the Palestinian Authority was stopped, 50 kg of cannabis drugs ready for distribution were located, a number of weapons parts and 120 boxes of smuggled cigarettes were seized.
Three suspects were arrested for assaulting police officers during the operation.
All the suspects were taken for questioning in the southern district of the Israel Police.
Tens of suspects were arrested during the riots.
Bedouin clans rioted in the northern Negev for several days and clashed with police last week following the JNF planting of trees on land the Al-Atrash clan claims as its own.
The riots included the blocking of roads with burning tires and rock-throwing at passing vehicles. A train was forced to make an emergency stop after the driver noticed that rocks were placed on the tracks, apparently by the rioters. Cars were torched, and a police station in the area was repeatedly attacked.
The violent scenes were reminiscent of the countrywide Muslim riots in May in support of Hamas during Operation Guardian of the Walls.
The planting in the area has stopped for the time being.