The Higher Arab Monitoring Committee declared a general strike on Saturday scheduled for October 1 to mark the anniversary of the riots in which 12 Israeli Arabs and one Palestinian were killed in clashes with police.

The strike is said to include schools, public institutions, and private businesses. The decision, which was demanded by the families of those killed and by the Islamic Movement, was reached unanimously.

The committee also decided that in the week leading up to the anniversary, Israeli Arab schools will teach an educational program focusing on the events and their ramifications.

Ronit Tirush, the director-general of the Education Ministry, praised the idea, even claiming that the program was put together under her guidance and then passed on during a meeting with the chairman of the Monitoring Committee last week.

Nonetheless, Tirush noted that the initiative must come before the ministry for approval prior to its being taught in schools.

On the anniversary, representatives of all the Arab political parties will pay their respects at the gravesites of the 12 who were killed. Immediately afterwards, a march is to take place in Sakhnin.

The staff responsible for organizing the events commemorating the October riots included representatives from the Arab political movements, the Arab council heads, and the bereaved parents council, all in an attempt to send a message of unity to the Israeli and international media.

In its official press release, the Monitoring Committee avoided any specific reference to the Or Commission recommendations, which remains a source of disagreement within the Israeli-Arab community.

One week ago, representatives of the families met with Shauki Hatib, the head of the Monitoring Committee, and with the council heads of the towns in which the youths were killed.

"The demand to declare a strike is needed in light of the failure to implement the Or Commission recommendations, chief among them to investigate the policemen that murdered my son and the rest of those slain," said committee spokesman Hassan Asleh, whose son Asil was among the victims.

In early October of 2000, with the outbreak of the Al-Aqsa intifada, hostilities spread to Arab towns within Israel proper. The riots lasted a number of days during which Israeli Arabs blocked highways and threw stones at security forces, which used live fire in an effort to maintain order.

As a result, 12 Arab citizens and one Palestinian who took part in the clashes were killed. The Or Commission, which was established to investigate the events, published its findings and conclusions on all matters relating to the state's treatments of its Arab citizens. The report calls for full equality for all citizens of the state of Israel.