The international community is abuzz with diplomatic activity concerning Israel and the Middle East. Following the lead of Prime Minister Sharon and then U.S. President George Bush, Ireland and Holland have now called for the establishment of a Palestinian state. British Prime Minister Blair did so yesterday. Ireland\'s Prime Minister Ahern, whose turn it is to be rotating president of the UN Security Council, said today that Arafat \"paid a high price for being committed to a ceasefire.\" Ahern also promised that he would do his best to \"urgently resume\" the talks between Israel and the PA in order to bring about the creation of a Palestinian state.
In the Czech Republic as well, a similar call was heard today - from visiting Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres. Peres took the opportunity to explain his support of Arafat, saying, \"Arafat is the only Palestinian leader who cares about the Western countries\' position, and his desire to obtain legitimacy for the Palestinian cause influences him. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hizbullah don\'t care about the West, cannot be influenced, and call for the destruction of Israel.\" Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman said that he sees no difference between Hamas and Bin Laden\'s Al Qaeda terrorist organization. \"Israel was the first victim of terrorism,\" he said, adding that Israel provides an example for the world as to how to courageously fight terrorism.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, possibly seeking to offset the impression left by Prime Minister Blair\'s meeting with Arafat and call for a Palestinian state, said today that he does not see Sharon as an obstacle to peace. Prime Minister Sharon has arranged to meet with Blair in London in the coming weeks.
IDF Intelligence Chief Maj.-Gen. Amos Malka told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee today that Arafat has arrested only one wanted terrorist - and that was for participating in an anti-PA demonstration. \"Arafat is taking no action to thwart terrorism,\" Malka said, \"and is engaged only in persuading the Islamic terrorist organizations not to wage suicide attacks during this period.\"
In the Czech Republic as well, a similar call was heard today - from visiting Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres. Peres took the opportunity to explain his support of Arafat, saying, \"Arafat is the only Palestinian leader who cares about the Western countries\' position, and his desire to obtain legitimacy for the Palestinian cause influences him. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hizbullah don\'t care about the West, cannot be influenced, and call for the destruction of Israel.\" Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman said that he sees no difference between Hamas and Bin Laden\'s Al Qaeda terrorist organization. \"Israel was the first victim of terrorism,\" he said, adding that Israel provides an example for the world as to how to courageously fight terrorism.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, possibly seeking to offset the impression left by Prime Minister Blair\'s meeting with Arafat and call for a Palestinian state, said today that he does not see Sharon as an obstacle to peace. Prime Minister Sharon has arranged to meet with Blair in London in the coming weeks.
IDF Intelligence Chief Maj.-Gen. Amos Malka told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee today that Arafat has arrested only one wanted terrorist - and that was for participating in an anti-PA demonstration. \"Arafat is taking no action to thwart terrorism,\" Malka said, \"and is engaged only in persuading the Islamic terrorist organizations not to wage suicide attacks during this period.\"