Barak: We must punish rioters in the West Bank

Defense Minister Ehud Barak leveled harsh criticism on Sunday against recent actions by settlers in the West Bank against Palestinians and security forces. "The disorderly conduct in the West Bank is an attempt by a small, radical group to undermine the authority of the state to impose [rule of law] and public order in the area," he told ministers at the weekly cabinet meeting." "For this reason, the utmost interest of a state [that hasn't given up on itself] is the preservation of its power and its laws versus its citizens, and in this spirit we must act in coordination with the army, the police, the state prosecutor, and the justice system," Barak continued. "We must impose a punishment on [the rioters] in the West Bank," he added.