Prime Minister Sharon and the Yesha (Judea, Samaria, and Gaza Communities) Council do not appear to be seeing eye-to-eye. Sharon insists that he wishes to exert consistent pressure on Arafat, while at the same time looking for a replacement for him with whom to continue negotiations. Headlines in today\'s Israeli papers even blared that Sharon, visiting in the U.S., would ask American President Bush to help him find an alternative to Arafat.
The Council, on the other hand, demands that Oslo be declared dead, Arafat be expelled outright, and the Palestinian Authority be dismantled. Yesha activists held protest vigils in several locations throughout the country today, holding signs, \"Expel Arafat, Restore Hope.\" Their presence was felt at the entrance to Jerusalem, opposite the American Consulate, and in several other locations in Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv region.
In the course of his meeting with President Bush last night, Prime Minister Sharon also warned the U.S. of the nuclear threat from Iran, and reportedly asked that Israel be informed in advance of any planned offensive against Iraq. Sharon also emphasized Arafat\'s part in promoting terrorism, and explained that as long as the PLO leader does not take steps to stop violence - such as apprehending terrorists and confiscating arms as he pledged in Oslo - the U.S. must help isolate him. Mr. Sharon stated, as he has in the past, that the end result of the Oslo process would be an independent Palestinian state. Bush agreed that Israel must act forcefully against terrorism, but refused to cut ties with Arafat and asked Sharon to ease restrictions on the Arab population in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza.
The United Jewish Communities of North America hosted a lunch today honoring the Prime Minister in the presence of senior U.S. officials. The Jewish Agency, a co-sponsor of the luncheon, highlighted its program to increase support for aliyah (Jewish immigration to Israel), assist the Jews of Argentina, and in general to strengthen Israel.
The Council, on the other hand, demands that Oslo be declared dead, Arafat be expelled outright, and the Palestinian Authority be dismantled. Yesha activists held protest vigils in several locations throughout the country today, holding signs, \"Expel Arafat, Restore Hope.\" Their presence was felt at the entrance to Jerusalem, opposite the American Consulate, and in several other locations in Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv region.
In the course of his meeting with President Bush last night, Prime Minister Sharon also warned the U.S. of the nuclear threat from Iran, and reportedly asked that Israel be informed in advance of any planned offensive against Iraq. Sharon also emphasized Arafat\'s part in promoting terrorism, and explained that as long as the PLO leader does not take steps to stop violence - such as apprehending terrorists and confiscating arms as he pledged in Oslo - the U.S. must help isolate him. Mr. Sharon stated, as he has in the past, that the end result of the Oslo process would be an independent Palestinian state. Bush agreed that Israel must act forcefully against terrorism, but refused to cut ties with Arafat and asked Sharon to ease restrictions on the Arab population in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza.
The United Jewish Communities of North America hosted a lunch today honoring the Prime Minister in the presence of senior U.S. officials. The Jewish Agency, a co-sponsor of the luncheon, highlighted its program to increase support for aliyah (Jewish immigration to Israel), assist the Jews of Argentina, and in general to strengthen Israel.