Israel cancels right-wing march

UMM AL-FAHM, Israel, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Threats of gun violence have prompted Israeli officials to cancel a planned march of Jewish right-wingers through an ethnic Arab city, officials said.

Israeli police had received intelligence reports that violent riots were likely to break out in Umm al-Fahm, located near Haifa, if Sunday's march had been allowed to proceed, Ynetnews.com reported.

Upcoming elections for the Israeli Knesset were also providing fodder for possible violence, with police receiving reports that Arab extremists were preparing to meet the Jewish marchers with gunfire, the news Web site said.

Officials are also considering whether or not to allow the march to go on at a later date against the backdrop of the shaky Gaza Strip cease-fire and the upcoming Hanukkah and Christmas holidays.

"This is a smart decision. I hope the decision leads to the cancellation of the parade, not just to its postponement," acting Umm al-Fahm Mayor Mustafa Souhil told Ynetnews.