Show of support for Syrian leader in Umm al-Fahm quickly turns violent as Assad opponents turn up

A clash broke out at the entrance to the northern Israeli city of Umm al-Fahm on Saturday, evening between supporters of Syrian President Bashar Assad and his opponents.

Dozens of Israeli Arabs from across the country gathered in city to show support for the embattled Syrian leader. They wielded pictures of Assad and Palestinian flags, and chanted slogans accusing Israel and the United States of perpetrating the massacre in Syria.

The protest was interrupted by the arrival of residents who oppose the Assad regime. They yelled at the protesters to leave Umm al-Fahm, accusing Assad of the bloodshed that has paralyzed Syria for the past 13 months. The opponents claimed that the show of support for the strongman could tarnish the city´s reputation.

The verbal quarrel quickly turned physical, prompting a large police force to disperse the riot. A police source told Ynet that no injuries were reported, and no arrests were made.

"The purpose of the rally was to express our position, to support Assad and declare that he is not responsible for the massacre," Ahmad Kaiwan, an Umm al-Fahm resident said. "The rebels are behind the bloodshed, as well as the Israeli government and the United States, who aim to humiliate Bashar and his regime."

An Assad opponent who also resides in the city told Ynet: "This demonstration is unnecessary. We won´t condone rallies in support of Bashar Assad because he´s a murderer. Any protest that supports him slanders the city´s name and the residents´ names." (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 04/21/12)