Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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September 14, 2008

Olmert Accuses Settlers of 'Pogrom' Against Palestinians
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1E2FC65:A6F02AD83191E1603069BAF397E1FD0AF47489ACC27D21EE&
 
Israeli Prime Minister says settlers who take the law into their own
hands will be punished 
The Israeli government and Jewish settlers are on a collision course
after vigilante actions in the West Bank. Robert Berger reports from the
VOA bureau in Jerusalem. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert lashed out at Jewish
settlers in the West Bank who went on a rampage in a Palestinian
village. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert attends his government's
weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, 07 Sep 2008"The state of Israel
does not allow pogroms against non-Jews," Olmert said. "Speaking at the
weekly Cabinet meeting, he said settlers who take the law into their own
hands will be punished. Settlers attacked a neighboring village after a
Palestinian infiltrated their community, damaged property and stabbed a
nine-year-old Israeli boy five times. The boy suffered minor wounds and
the assailant escaped. Six Palestinians were hurt when settlers opened
fire and threw stones at homes in the village. Settlement leaders are
angry that Mr. Olmert used the word "pogrom," which usually refers to
the persecution of Jews."Olmert did call it a pogrom and that displays a
lack of intelligence more than anything else. I do not think that is a
very smart thing to say," said Mr. Olmert. Settlement activist Yisrael
Meidad said Olmert is blaming the wrong side."Violence begets violence,
and in my indication and sources, the violence started from the Arab
side," said Meidad. One Israeli military commentator described the
situation in the West Bank as the "law of the jungle."


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