The only democracy in the Middle East JERUSALEM (AP) - A hawkish Israeli Cabinet minister has asked Christian missionaries to try to convert Islamic militants, an aide to the minister confirmed Sunday.

Tourism Minister Benny Elon made the suggestion during a meeting last Wednesday with visiting Christian leaders from Europe, said the spokesman, Sagiv Rotenberg.

Elon told the Christians that Israel would not accept any missionary attempts to convert Jews, but suggested that they turn their attention to Muslim militants in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

``Go to mosques and bring the light to the Muslims. Remind all the Muslim killers that thou shall not kill. Make them good Christians and good people,'' Elon was quoted as saying in the Yediot Ahronot daily.

Rotenberg confirmed the minister's comments, but said that Elon was referring only to Muslims who instruct their faithful to kill.

Islamic militant groups based in the West Bank and Gaza have carried out dozens of suicide bombings during more than three years of Israeli-Palestinian violence.