[Following are two stories, run together by the BBC.

The first story is about a pogrom perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinian peasants. As is standard practice in pogroms -- whether in Tsarist Russia or in the unHoly Land -- the forces of Law and Order stand by and allow the pogromchiks to get on with it, while the ministers of the state's religion praise them.

The Israeli police were forced to investigate the incident because it was filmed by human-rights activists. But don't hold your breath for the pogromchiks to receive their just punishment. They will get off lightly.

The second story is about Israel's corrupt Prime Minister calling for giving up parts -- NB: parts -- of the West Bank, so as to avert the terrible danger of a bi-national state. Anyone who knows anything about Zionist strategy, will realize that the "parts" he is proposing to give up are those densely populated by Palestinian Arabs, while retaining for Israel most of their lands, and full control of the vital water resources.

Any "Palestinian state" that may emerge out of this will be a travesty: in fact it will be a bunch of Indian Reservations.

MM]

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7616269.stm

BBC NEWS

Israeli police probing 'pogrom'

Israeli police are investigating a rampage by settlers in a Palestinian village in the West Bank on Saturday which PM Ehud Olmert called a"pogrom".

Mr Olmert, who is about to step down, called the attack by about 100 settlers on Asira al-Qabaliya "intolerable".

It was filmed by human rights groups and came after an intruder stabbed and wounded a child at Yitzhar settlement.

But police have not arrested any of the settlers who were filmed. Four people suffered gunshot wounds in the attack.

Police have reportedly approached human rights group B'Tselem asking for the home video footage capturing Yitzhar settlers attacking the village with live bullets and stones.

In the footage, Israeli soldiers are present at the scene but do not take any action to prevent the violence and destruction of Palestinian property.

Mr Olmert said at what could be his last cabinet meeting: "This phenomenon of taking the law into their own hands and of brutal and violent attacks is intolerable... There will be no pogroms against non-Jewish residents."

A committee of pro-settlement rabbis praised the "courage and heroism" of the Yitzhar settlers, saying their reaction was in accordance with Jewish law, the Haaretz newspaper reported.

Misleading

The once-hawkish Mr Olmert also spoke of Israel giving up parts of the West Bank to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians.

"The idea of a 'Greater Israel' is over. There is no such thing. Whoever says so is just misleading himself," Mr Olmert said, according to officials at the meeting.

The meeting discussed a plan to pay Israelis to leave settlements in the West Bank that are on the east side of the barrier Israel is building in and around the territory.

On Monday, Mr Olmert told a parliamentary committee that every day that passed without a peace agreement with the Palestinians was a day that Israelis may come to regret.

Mr Olmert said there would be painful consequences if the opportunity to reach a deal soon was missed.

The prime minister faces possible criminal charges in corruption investigations and, although he denies wrongdoing, he has promised to resign after his Kadima party holds an election to replace him.

Wednesday's leadership vote could be followed by protracted talks to form a new government, and Mr Olmert may stay on as caretaker premier.

About 450,000 Jews live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in settlements considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.

Published: 2008/09/15 12:06:09 GMT

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