Barak rapped for Arab deaths

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak was harshly criticised by an official commission of inquiry today for his handling of riots in which 13 Israeli Arabs were killed by police three years ago.

The commission stopped short of barring him from returning to public office.

It said Barak did not do enough to prevent police from using live fire in quelling the protests.

Barak, who was defeated by Ariel Sharon in 2001 elections, has hinted that he may announce a return to politics in coming weeks.

Barak’s police minister at the time of the riots, Shlomo Ben-Ami, will not be able to serve in the post in the future because of severe failures on the job.