Palestinian Authority removes web link to "Protocols of the Elders of Zion"

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has pulled a link to “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion” from one of its websites. A link to the 19th-century anti-Semitic forgery, which purports to spell out a Jewish plot to take control of the world, appeared on the site of the State Information Service. The link was found on a page with a list of historical sources about Zionism. The move came after the Anti-Defamation League had written to the Palestinian Authority, demanding that it remove the Protocols from its site. As part of the “Road Map” peace plan, the Palestinians have pledged to stop inciting against Israel, but Israeli officials contend that changes are not coming fast enough. However, PA Information minister Nabil Sha’ath said on Wednesday that he had ordered the suspension of Sheik Ibrahim Mdaires, a Gaza Strip imam who told his congregation last week that “Jews are a virus resembling AIDS.” Mdaires, whose statements were carried live on Palestine television, also said that Jews were exaggerating the number of people killed in the Shoah.