KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana |Olmert says Israel was justified in attack on Gaza
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Associated Press - October 27, 2009 11:14 PM ET
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says his country was justified in its military offensive into Gaza last December.
In a speech at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville on Tuesday, Olmert also said Israel took pains to avoid civilian casualties.
Israel attacked Gaza in a mission it says was meant to end eight years of incessant rocket attacks by Palestinian militants. Palestinian officials and human rights groups say about 1,400 Palestinians were killed during the offensive, including hundreds of civilians.
About midway through Olmert's lecture in Arkansas, an audience member held up a sign stating, "Investigate war crimes under Goldstone," a reference to a U.N. report critical of Israel's actions in Gaza.
A security guard escorted the protester from the room.
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