Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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October 12, 2008

Israeli Police Crack Down on Jewish-Arab Violence
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1EADFD1:A6F02AD83191E160BE3942F269C2A3F05C6F54A6CF9DC2CA&
 
Outgoing PM Ehud Olmert tells Cabinet Acre's 53,000 residents are being
'held hostage by a small group of extremists, both Jews and Arabs' 
Israel is cracking down on a wave of ethnic violence in a mixed
Jewish-Arab city. Robert Berger reports from the VOA bureau in
Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ordered police to show
"zero tolerance" toward Jewish and Arab rioters in the ancient port city
of Acre. Mr. Olmert told the Cabinet the city's 53,000 residents are
being "held hostage by a small group of extremists, both Jews and
Arabs."Israeli border policemen patrol in a market in the mixed city of
Acre, northern Israel, 12 Oct 2008Police say they have arrested
instigators of the riots on both sides and they will be punished with
the full severity of the law. About 700 police have deployed in Acre
since clashes erupted Wednesday on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the
holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Though it is customary not to drive
on the holiday, an Arab drove through a Jewish neighborhood with music
blaring and was attacked by angry residents. Arabs responded by
vandalizing Jewish-owned cars and shops. Since then, there have been
stone throwing clashes and several Arab homes have been set on fire.
Each side is blaming the other for the violence. Jewish residents of
Acre say they are intimidated by Arab thugs, but Israeli-Arab civil
rights activist Jafar Farach sees things differently. "For the last
three years, there was ongoing incitement against the Arab community by
political leaders and extreme leaders in the Jewish community," said
Farach. Prime Minister Olmert called for Israeli Jews and Arabs to
isolate the extremists and live together in tolerance and mutual
respect. 


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