Picture of baby bomber irks Israelis

JERUSALEM -- The Israeli army distributed a photograph of a wide-eyed Palestinian baby dressed like a suicide bomber -- complete with a Hamas headband and what appeared to be an explosives belt -- stirring anger Friday among Israelis, who accused Palestinians of arming their children with hatred.

The authenticity of the picture, which was splashed across the front pages of Israeli newspapers, and whether the explosives and ammunition were real could not be verified. But the picture incensed Israelis, who have been targeted in 71 suicide bombings that have killed 251 Israelis in the past 21 months.

"Terror in Diapers" read the headline on the front page of the Israeli newspaper Maariv along with the picture of the baby, who appeared to be 12 to 18 months old.

Dore Gold, an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, said the picture "symbolizes the incitement and hatred which the Palestinian leadership has been using to brainwash an entire generation of Palestinian children."

But Palestinian labor minister Ghassan Khatib insisted it was understandable that Palestinians would teach their children violence toward Israelis.