Today\'s government meeting was interrupted by an argument instigated by Tourism Minister Rehavam (Gandi) Ze\'evi\'s call for the destruction of Arafat\'s \"palace\" in Gaza. \"This will humiliate him, and make him rethink his strategy,\" said Ze\'evi, a member of the security mini-Cabinet and a former O.C. Central Command. Other ministers sharply criticized his remarks; Industry and Trade Minister Dalia Itzik (Labor) called them \"populistic,\" while Minister Danny Naveh (Likud) said that the proper forum for proposals of that nature is only the security mini-Cabinet. It should be noted that Arafat\'s home in Gaza was lightly damaged in Wednesday night\'s Israeli bomb raids.
The government voted unanimously today to extend the term of IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha’ul Mofaz by an extra year. Chiefs of Staff normally serve for three years.