The IDF does not appear to be planning to leave the Judea and Samaria areas it re-liberated over the weekend any time soon - though Israeli officials continue to say that they do not intend to remain there forever. They emphasize that the army\'s main objective is to prevent terrorist attacks and arrest terrorists: \"If the PA won\'t do the work, then we\'ll have to do it.\"
Meanwhile, the European Union announced last night that Israel should withdraw from the PA-controlled areas it recently took over. Israeli representatives around the world are attempting to explain their position, but the message appears to be coming out in cacophonous discord. Foreign Minister Peres, who spoke at the National Press Club in Washington today, continues to tell the Americans that \"Arafat is our partner\" and that \"we are in favor of a Palestinian state.\" At the same time, however, the message being delivered by former Ambassador Zalman Shoval and Likud MK David Arens is that Arafat is Israel\'s Taliban.
The Israeli forces are in and around Ramallah, Tul Karem, Kalkilyeh, Beit Jala, Bethlehem, and Jenin. Army units destroyed the empty three-story Force 17 headquarters in El Bireh, just south of Ramallah - a building used as the launching point for many terrorist attacks over the past year. Force 17 terrorists were responsible for the murder of ten Israelis over the past year, including Binyamin and Talia Kahane, Aryeh Hershkovitz and his son Assaf (in two separate attacks), and Sarah Lisha.
Israel is skeptical about the PA\'s official announcement that it has outlawed the military arm of the PFLP terrorist organization. Officials view it as a \"game of words\" and \"a way for Arafat to deflect the pressure being exerted on him.\" Israel continues to demand that the PA transfer the murderers of Rehavam Ze\'evi to Israel. Prime Minister Sharon accused Arafat today of not acting against the terrorists, and said that the PA had smuggled one of Ze\'evi\'s murders to safety.
Meanwhile, the European Union announced last night that Israel should withdraw from the PA-controlled areas it recently took over. Israeli representatives around the world are attempting to explain their position, but the message appears to be coming out in cacophonous discord. Foreign Minister Peres, who spoke at the National Press Club in Washington today, continues to tell the Americans that \"Arafat is our partner\" and that \"we are in favor of a Palestinian state.\" At the same time, however, the message being delivered by former Ambassador Zalman Shoval and Likud MK David Arens is that Arafat is Israel\'s Taliban.
The Israeli forces are in and around Ramallah, Tul Karem, Kalkilyeh, Beit Jala, Bethlehem, and Jenin. Army units destroyed the empty three-story Force 17 headquarters in El Bireh, just south of Ramallah - a building used as the launching point for many terrorist attacks over the past year. Force 17 terrorists were responsible for the murder of ten Israelis over the past year, including Binyamin and Talia Kahane, Aryeh Hershkovitz and his son Assaf (in two separate attacks), and Sarah Lisha.
Israel is skeptical about the PA\'s official announcement that it has outlawed the military arm of the PFLP terrorist organization. Officials view it as a \"game of words\" and \"a way for Arafat to deflect the pressure being exerted on him.\" Israel continues to demand that the PA transfer the murderers of Rehavam Ze\'evi to Israel. Prime Minister Sharon accused Arafat today of not acting against the terrorists, and said that the PA had smuggled one of Ze\'evi\'s murders to safety.