Israeli PM Calls on Settlement Leaders to Condemn Threats

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak Sunday called on settlement and spiritual leaders to unequivocally condemn threats of violence against political leaders.

Barak related threats on his life at the cabinet meeting Sunday morning, reported Israel Radio, amid an increasing number of death threats received by Barak's office.

The prime minister said violent acts will not stop historical processes.

Barak insisted no attacks will stop the peace process with the Palestinians despite the death threats against him by the right-wing settlers.

There has been reports of threats against Barak in recent days. Leader of the right-wing Yesha Council of Settlements Shimon Riklin last week even threatened another murder to prevent further territorial concessions by Barak.

Settlement leaders said Sunday morning they are opposed to any violent acts. But they called on Barak to refrain from taking steps that will lead to a schism in the nation.

Earlier Knesset (parliament) Speaker Avraham Burg called on the country's rabbis to put a stop to violent acts or speech in their communities. Burg said that "destructive Judaism is not Judaism at all."

Following rising threats against the safety of political leaders, the Israeli General Security Service has decided to tighten security around Prime Minister Ehud Barak and government ministers and to increase personnel and intelligence operations.

Barak told the Labor Party's Central Committee on Friday that Israel will keep 80 percent of settlers on the West Bank under Israeli sovereignty in a possible upcoming agreement with the Palestinians. He said such an agreement should be seen as a historic achievement.

The future of Israeli settlements is one of the tough issues to be solved in the final status negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, who aim to clinch a permanent accord by September 13. In an interview with Israel Radio Sunday morning, National Religious Party Knesset Member Rabbi Haim Druckman said left-wing elements are using the issue as a tool for silencing right-wing objections to Barak's policies.



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