In his first public address following his release from Ramallah, Arafat called IDF soldiers surrounding the Bethlehem Church of the Nativity, \"terrorists, Nazis, and racists.\" Some observers say that it was no coincidence that precisely at the moment that the siege was lifted in Ramallah, the Arab gunmen who have been holding hostages there for four weeks ignited fires in three places inside the church complex. The Palestinians then opened fire from inside the church. While Arafat\'s terrorists were engaged in these two hostile acts against Christian and Jewish interests, Arafat was able to exploit the situation with angry accusations at Israel for \"burning the church\" and tough demands for international action against Israel. The international media who \"happened\" to be on hand to cover the end of the siege were thus able to transmit this message across the world.
Meanwhile, an intense gun battle was underway in the area of the church, while at the same time the Arab arsonists accused Israel of trying to destroy a Christian holy site. The blaze was contained after a half hour, despite the fact that the Arabs prevented fire trucks from reaching the site.
A Syrian proposal that the UN Security Council force Israel into accepting the investigative mission to Jenin was withdrawn before it could be voted on. The proposal did not have the minimal required support of nine state members of the Council. Instead, the Security Council will discuss and vote on a U.S. proposal expressing \"sorrow\" over Israel\'s rejection of the UN fact-finding mission to Jenin. The proposal contains no operative provisions. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced the cancellation last night of the planned fact-finding mission regarding the Jenin battles in light of the Israeli decision not to cooperate with the delegation in the present circumstances. Anan sent a letter informing the 15 permanent members of the Security Council of his decision, and the team members waiting in Geneva were instructed to return home.
Meanwhile, an intense gun battle was underway in the area of the church, while at the same time the Arab arsonists accused Israel of trying to destroy a Christian holy site. The blaze was contained after a half hour, despite the fact that the Arabs prevented fire trucks from reaching the site.
A Syrian proposal that the UN Security Council force Israel into accepting the investigative mission to Jenin was withdrawn before it could be voted on. The proposal did not have the minimal required support of nine state members of the Council. Instead, the Security Council will discuss and vote on a U.S. proposal expressing \"sorrow\" over Israel\'s rejection of the UN fact-finding mission to Jenin. The proposal contains no operative provisions. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced the cancellation last night of the planned fact-finding mission regarding the Jenin battles in light of the Israeli decision not to cooperate with the delegation in the present circumstances. Anan sent a letter informing the 15 permanent members of the Security Council of his decision, and the team members waiting in Geneva were instructed to return home.