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Last update - 14:30 04/03/2008 PM visits Druze community in Galilee, vows stronger ties By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Ehud Olmert, Druze, IDF  Prime Minister Ehud Olmert visited on Tuesday a Druze village in the western Galilee, in bid to bolster the community's ties between the community and the government. Accompanied by numerous government ministries officials, Olmert held a long meeting with Druze and Circassian council heads, led by the community's spiritual leader Sheikh Mwafak Tariff and Deputy Foreign Minister Majali Wahabi. Olmert heard that according to a recent opinion poll, for 94 percent of Druze citizens Israeliness is a central tenet of their identity. A top Druze IDF officer said that 83 percent of Druze youth join the army, as opposed to a mere 72 percent of Jewish youth. Advertisement Olmert said that the Druze community's loyalty to the state is "wonderful and admirable." He added that a change is required in the state's relationship with the community. The prime minister said he intends to step up the investment of state funds in Druze communities, especially for housing and employment. He also promised to reduce socio-economic gaps, "because they cannot be justified." Bookmark to del.icio.us   UN hushes Human Rights Council observes moment of silence for Gaza 'martyrs.' Hitler's sign Document shows that British spies hired a flamboyant astrologer in World War II.   1.   Action, not words 15:46  |  Leon 04/03/08   2.   the NATION OF ISRAEL 16:27  |  AMIHAI 04/03/08   3.   Why doesn`t he visit Sderot? 18:05  |  Absolute Sweden 04/03/08   4.   Israel shuld have stronger ties with its citizens 19:58  |  Rami 04/03/08   5.   Druze must choose, may they choose rightly 20:14  |  Efox 04/03/08   6.   Rami - please remember that Olmerde is NOT "Israel" 02:36  |  Polybios 05/03/08

Today Online MI: Iran arming Hezbollah with missiles via Turkey Responses: 162 Leviev: Zionism is bankrupt due to 'new American religion' Responses: 80 Moshe Arens: It was too much to hope for that the IDF would invade Gaza Responses: 43 Rosner: Americans have a favorable view of Israel, especially Republicans Responses: 32 Israeli scientists wonder: Could seaweed power the world? Responses: 23 Rosner's Domain Americans have a favorable view of Israel. Democrats, less so Young American Jews are not alienated from Israel Poll: Should Abbas and Olmert continue their talks? Factor: What's wrong with Obama? Rosner's Mailbox: McCain is a trimmer Sharon More Headlines 17:53 Abbas agrees to resume talks despite earlier truce demand 17:50 Cabinet to IDF: Continue operations to halt rocket fire 17:09 Jewish teen tortured in French town where Ilan Halimi was killed 18:32 Hezbollah says ready for war with Israel, but won't initiate it 18:28 Israeli Arab jailed for 16 years over 'honor killing' of his sister 14:25 Gilad Shalit's French lawyers to Israeli gov't: Let us go to Gaza 13:59 MK Eitam to Arab MKs: One day we will expel you from Israel 18:40 Arab League condemns IDF Gaza operation as 'crime against humanity' 17:50 EU braces for outrage over Dutch lawmaker's anti-Koran film 14:26 Gov't places 120 fortified bus stops in rocket-plagued Sderot 12:30 Ahmadinejad suspends talks with EU after UN resolution against Iran 10:52 Clinton scores crucial wins in Texas, Ohio; McCain wins GOP nomination Previous Editions Select Day 04 mar 03 mar 02 mar 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb

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