Yasser Arafat took $5 million for his own personal use from the worldwide contributions designated for destitute PA residents. So reports the Kuwaiti newspaper Al Watan today, based on documents it says it received. The paper says that Arafat used some of the money to pay for his wife and daughter\'s stay in Paris. He also bought stock in a Jordanian cement company, which has profited nicely from the growing demand to rebuild buildings demolished during Operation Defensive Shield. After a short investigation of Israeli charges that EU aid money to the PA is being diverted for \"other\" uses, the European Union is expected to unfreeze tomorrow 18.7 million euros in aid and send the sum to the PA.
In a related item, Israel is still trying to figure out what to do with a veritable treasure its forces found in the home of PA Police Chief and terrorist-dispatcher Razi Jabali. Gold jewelry valued at some 1.3 million shekels (over $260,000) was found in his home during Operation Defensive Shield when troops were conducting a search for intelligence-related information. One soldier opened a plastic food container in Jabali\'s home, and was stunned to find inside a collection of diamond-studded and gold watches, jewelry, pens, and more. Senior IDF echelons ordered the cache confiscated, and Jabali has not complained - leading to the assumption that he acquired the treasure in an illicit manner. Condoleeza Rice mentioned the PA\'s \"rampant corruption\" this week, and Jabali has often been accused of being a major role in such. Jabali is also wanted in Israel for having personally dispatched a terrorist cell to attack the Shomron community Har Brachah in July 1997.
In a related item, Israel is still trying to figure out what to do with a veritable treasure its forces found in the home of PA Police Chief and terrorist-dispatcher Razi Jabali. Gold jewelry valued at some 1.3 million shekels (over $260,000) was found in his home during Operation Defensive Shield when troops were conducting a search for intelligence-related information. One soldier opened a plastic food container in Jabali\'s home, and was stunned to find inside a collection of diamond-studded and gold watches, jewelry, pens, and more. Senior IDF echelons ordered the cache confiscated, and Jabali has not complained - leading to the assumption that he acquired the treasure in an illicit manner. Condoleeza Rice mentioned the PA\'s \"rampant corruption\" this week, and Jabali has often been accused of being a major role in such. Jabali is also wanted in Israel for having personally dispatched a terrorist cell to attack the Shomron community Har Brachah in July 1997.