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Last update - 20:32 12/10/2008
Olmert: Israeli Arabs have long suffered discrimination
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Ehud Olmert, Israel news 

Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday said that Israel's Arab population has long faced discrimination and urged an improvement in relations between all the country's citizens.

"There is no doubt that for many years there has been discrimination against the Arab population that stemmed from various reasons," Olmert told a group of Israeli Arab leaders.

Olmert met on Sunday with Israeli Arab representatives, including Higher Arab Monitoring Committee Chairman Shawki Khatib and MKs from various Arab parties.
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They presented Olmert with a petition signed by more than 250,000 citizens demanding that an independent inquiry committee be established to re-examine the attorney general's decision not to indict any officers involved in the events of October 2000, during which 13 Israeli Arabs were shot dead by police.

Olmert told the group that it is not within his power to change or appeal the attorney general's decision regarding the events of October 2000, but that there is room for discussion on ways to improve relations between Israel's Jewish and Arab citizens.

President Shimon Peres also met with the group of Israeli Arab leaders on Sunday.

After both meetings, Khatib said that the participants were aware of the outgoing prime minister and president's limitations with regard to the attorney general decision. However, he added that Olmert and Peres's comments led to the conclusion that both knew justice had not been done in the case.

As for the recent Acre riots, Khatib said that had the findings of the Or Commission, which was established to investigate the 2000 conflict, been implemented, the Acre clashes could have been avoided.

Related articles:
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  • Hadash petition calls for 'neutral' panel to probe Oct. 2000 riots
  • Driver who sparked Acre riots: I'd sacrifice myself to bring back coexistence
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    One step closer
    Labor Party, Kadima sign coalition agreement after 18 hours of discussion.
    After the clashes
    Police arrest driver who sparked Acre riots for 'harming religious sensitivities'.
      1.   The world has known this for decades. 21:00  |  Maki 12/10/08
      2.   A booming voice on the way to Damascus? 21:08  |  Mark Lincoln 12/10/08
      3.   Yet another true but belated revelation by Olmert... 21:44  |  BBSNews 12/10/08
      4.   As a lawyer he`s probably preparing future clients 22:10  |  Helm of Chelm 12/10/08
      5.   true, things can be improved but Israeli Arabs Must Act Too 22:34  |  Baruch Gold 12/10/08
      6.   Spit shine boot llicking by Olmert . 22:35  |  TOMY 12/10/08
      7.   And why not? 22:44  |  judith 12/10/08
      8.   Kol HaKavod Olmert; indeed Arabs` status needs to be improved 23:16  |  Alicia 12/10/08
      9.   Privileged Minority!!! 23:54  |  Robert 12/10/08
      10.   Olmert is providing fuel to anti-Semites. 00:17  |  Matt C 13/10/08
      11.   when is he going to wear a keffia and shouting death to jews 01:36  |  zionist forever 13/10/08
      12.   Expect nothing less from..... 02:21  |  Joe L. 13/10/08
      13.   #9 Robert.. thanks 02:29  |  cracker 13/10/08
      14.   Robert#9 02:39  |  ron 13/10/08
      15.   #12 Cracker 03:14  |  Robert 13/10/08
      16.   mert is feeding "poor arabs line" to the people of Israel;why?so 03:37  |  glenna 13/10/08
      17.   to indict any officers involved in the events of October 2000, 03:47  |  Joseph.E 13/10/08
      18.   Ron # 9 04:25  |  Robert 13/10/08
      19.   So why didn`t Olmert do anything about it? 05:03  |  BradL 13/10/08
      20.   I guess I must be an ancient 05:36  |  Mark Lincoln 13/10/08
      21.   PM Olmert is saying 18:35  |  Ahmad 13/10/08
      22.   baruch gold 5 18:56  |  potobac 13/10/08
      23.   Wow...what a shock... 00:06  |  Zevo 14/10/08
      24.   Zionist forever- Don`t forget another "hater of Israel & Jews"... 03:13  |  Christopher 14/10/08
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