The Interior Ministry on Monday began executing compensation payouts to residents of Meghar who were victims of the riots that raged in the Galilee village in February 2005.

The riots broke out in the Muslim-Christian-Druze village following rumors that Christians circulated on the Internet doctored photos of nude Druze girls.

The government ruled that the victims, all Christians, would be compensated for the damages sustained during the violence outbreak. A steering committee was established to rule on the compensations.

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The committee received 196 compensation claims estimated to total NIS seven million. Interior Ministry officials said Monday that "in an unusual step financial assistance would be granted to the residents [of Meghar]."

Interior Minister Roni Bar-On said that "the Israeli government does not discriminate between people from different backgrounds."

"Acting on the commitment made by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during his visit to the village, the Interior Ministry would make every effort to speed up the transfer of funds to the resident victims," he said.

Police: Riots were 'a pogrom'
Police Northern District Commander Major General Dan Ronen described the riots in the village as "a pogrom."

Two homes of Christian families were set on fire in the riots, and dozens of Druze threw rocks at other Christian houses.

According to Christian village residents, hundreds of young and adult Druze entered the Christian part of the village and embarked on a rampage that included throwing stun grenades and vandalizing cars. Many vehicles parked near houses were set on fire, and some rioters entered victims' homes and smashed objects.