Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, last night, telephoned the family of former Baqa al-Garbiyeh Mayor Jalal Abu Toameh.

Prime Minister said: “Jalal was a leader who worked to strengthen equality, respect and co-existestence between Jews and Arabs in the State of Israel.  It was during his tenure that Baqa al-Garbiyeh received municipal status.  Jalal dedicated most of his life to his community and to the establishment of common civiv values between Jews and Arabs. 

With his passing, the state of Israel has lost a patron of peace and a fighter for strengthening coexistence.”