Israelis set off firecrackers in church

[tocqueville]

By Rami Amichai
7 minutes ago

NAZARETH, Israel (Reuters) - Three Israelis set off firecrackers inside an important Christian shrine in the Arab Israeli town of Nazareth on Friday, sparking panic among worshippers and a mass brawl outside.

One police car was torched as protesters tried to surge past police into the Roman Catholic Church of the Annunciation, where the three -- a man and two women -- were holed up. Police later removed them and took them away for questioning.

Officials said the incident was prompted by personal grievances they had against the government.

Nazareth, in Israel's north, is the largest Arab town in the Jewish state. The incident lasted for around two hours.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060303/wl_nm/israel_nazareth_church_dc