Austrian ex-minister: 'Chain of human rights violations' by Israel

Former Austrian Interior Minister Karl Blecha on Sunday accused Israel of "a chain of human rights violations, reported dpa.

This was "undisputed", he said in the television program "Press Hour", Israel was "a state of injustice" Blecha charged. He said he was referring to "dispossessions which are not covered."

Blecha, who is head of the pensioners' association of his Social Democratic Party (SP) and President of the Society for Austrian -Arab Relations, insisted that his criticism must not be related with anti-Semitism.

"Criticism of Israeli policy must not be defamed as anti-Semitism", he said. In his lifelong political record, there could be no question of branding him an anti-Semite.

He said that "an Israel in secure borders is only possible if there is also a Palestinian state".

Blecha defended his party colleague, Speaker of the Vienna City Parliament Johann Hatzl, who was recently criticized in Austria for his condemnation of Israeli government policy.

He had ''full understanding" for Hatzl's remarks, Blecha said.

Hatzl caused controversy by refusing an invitation to an Israeli charity ball in Vienna City Hall.

He said he could not feel comfortable attending the ball when at the same time "an Israeli government of shame is throwing the principles of a civilized society overboard, and waging a merciless battle against another people."

In his statement, Hatzl described Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as "a state terrorist."