The Cabinet decided last night, via a telephone vote, to turn down PLO chief Yasser Arafat\'s request to participate in the Christmas ceremonies in Bethlehem this week. The ministers resolved that only if the PA took immediate action to arrest terrorists such as the murderers of Rehavam Ze\'evi, dismantle Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and stop incitement, would he be permitted to leave.
Prime Minister Sharon was against granting Arafat\'s request, but when he saw that he was in the minority in the three-man mini-security cabinet - Ministers Peres and Ben-Eliezer wanted to let Arafat go - he determined that the decision would be made by the full Cabinet. The Labor party ministers will convene today to discuss their latest defeat within the government; their political options are still quite limited.
Jordan had prepared two helicopters with which to fly Arafat from Ramallah to Bethlehem. Arafat said that he would not be prevented from fulfilling his desire to take part in the Christian ceremony, and would walk if he had to. It\'s only about 22 kilometers from Ramallah to Bethlehem, with Jerusalem along the way.
Prime Minister Sharon was against granting Arafat\'s request, but when he saw that he was in the minority in the three-man mini-security cabinet - Ministers Peres and Ben-Eliezer wanted to let Arafat go - he determined that the decision would be made by the full Cabinet. The Labor party ministers will convene today to discuss their latest defeat within the government; their political options are still quite limited.
Jordan had prepared two helicopters with which to fly Arafat from Ramallah to Bethlehem. Arafat said that he would not be prevented from fulfilling his desire to take part in the Christian ceremony, and would walk if he had to. It\'s only about 22 kilometers from Ramallah to Bethlehem, with Jerusalem along the way.