Chafee, Heading for Mideast, Raps Israel on Palestinian Unrest

Sen. John H. Chafee (R-R.I.), on the eve of his departure for the Middle East, criticized the Israeli government for its handling of Palestinian unrest within its borders.

Chafee said the Israelis have been wrong to use live ammunition against a group of “stone-throwing youngsters.”

“I’m not sure a bunch of stone-throwing youngsters pose a threat to the security of the state of Israel,” Chafee said in an interview taped for WPRI-TV’s “Newsmakers” show to be shown Sunday.

“We’re basing much of our judgment on the reports that come from the area. But the reports I’ve read indicate that these were spontaneous, these were not organized PLO demonstrations . . . and they broke out because of the ghastly conditions that exist in those areas, namely the Gaza Strip.”