Israeli government slammed by Jerusalem school | Florida Statesman

Israeli government slammed by Jerusalem school

Florida Statesman Sunday 9th March, 2008

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's request to visit the Jerusalem yeshiva, where eight students were slain last week, has been rejected.

One of his ministers was ejected from the school on Sunday, and had to be escorted back to her official car by police, after a student threw a bottle at her.

Eight students, almost all aged 15 to nineteen, were killed by a lone gunman at the Mercaz Harav school in Jerusalem on Thursday.

The school said Sunday they had told the Prime Minister's Office he was not welcome, and that any further requests would result in embarrassment for him and the school.

Mr. Olmert's office issued a statement saying he had not been told to stay away, he had in fact been invited to visit the school.

The Israeli prime minister was also slammed in an address by the yeshiva's head Rabbi, Yaakov Shapira, who in an address Sunday said, "Under this hollow leadership, a strong government, which reflects the real interests of the people, will arise."

Education Minister Yuli Tamir meantime was subject to intense protests when she visited the school. She was asked to leave during her visit on Sunday, after students called her a "murderer" and "Oslo criminal.

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