An Israeli security chief has warned
that politicians could again be targeted by Jewish militants. Robert Berger
reports from the VOA bureau in Jerusalem.
The head of Israel's Shin Bet security
service has warned that Jewish extremists could try to assassinate an Israeli
leader. Yuval Diskin told the Cabinet the aim would be to torpedo peace moves
with the Palestinians.
It is a sensitive issue-this
week, Israel marks the 13th anniversary of the assassination of Prime Minister
Yitzhak Rabin by a Jewish militant opposed to his peace policies.
There has been growing tension between militant Jewish settlers
in the West Bank and the Israeli government. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert lashed
out at the settlers for recent attacks on Israeli soldiers and Palestinian
civilians.
Mr. Olmert told the Cabinet
that most settlers are law-abiding citizens who love the people and Land of
Israel.
But he said there is also a
group, that is not small, that is threatening the rule of law in the State of
Israel. Mr. Olmert said it is intolerable.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak concurred. "The settlers who are
breaking the law are a threat to the state," he said." "This is a dangerous
phenomenon" that will not be allowed.
Militant settlers are angry over the government's peace talks
with the Palestinians, which could lead to Israel relinquishing most of the West
Bank and parts of Jerusalem. The settlers believe that violates God's command to
settle all the biblical Land of Israel. So 13 years after the Rabin
assassination, there are growing fears it could happen again.