Military

DATE=11/08/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAELI / ARABS / INQUIRY (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-268992

BYLINE=ROSS DUNN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Israel has announced a state commission of inquiry into the deaths of 13 Arab citizens during clashes last month with police. Ross Dunn in Jerusalem reports the investigation is in response to demands by Arab members of the Israeli parliament.

TEXT: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak announced he is establishing a state-commission of inquiry into "the clashes with security forces in which Jewish and Arab Israeli citizens were killed."

The commission will probe the violence that swept Israeli Arab towns and villages in the north of the country following the September 28th visit by opposition leader Ariel Sharon to a site in Jerusalem that is holy to both Muslims and Jews. The rioting in Arab areas of Israel coincided with the start of the Palestinian uprising in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to protest Mr. Sharon's actions.

Police shot dead 13 Israeli Arabs when they opened fire at mobs that blocked some of the country's main highways. The police say they used force against the rioters only when their lives were placed in danger.

But this response did not satisfy Arab legislators, who represent the one-million Arab citizens of Israel.

Many Arab citizens claim they are an underprivileged and discriminated minority and say it is inconceivable that Israeli police would have opened fire at Jews. Arab members of the Israeli parliament insisted on an investigating body with the powers to establish the facts.

Prime Minister Barak initially resisted their call but has finally bowed to their demand to set up a judicial inquiry with the power to subpoena witnesses and oblige them, if necessary, to testify. The members of the investigating committee are to be appointed by the president of Israel's Supreme Court. (Signed)

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