"Each of us wants to be a holy martyr in our struggle for independence," Yasser Arafat said today, while at the same time condemning terrorism within pre-1967 Israel. He said that terrorism harms the Palestinian Authority's international standing, but justified "legitimate resistance to conquest." Arafat performed these oral acrobatics today in an hour-long address to the Palestinian Authority's Legislative Council in the Mukata in Ramallah, in a session approved by Prime Minister Sharon.
Arafat also accused Israel of using forbidden weapons, and said that the new partition wall between Arab-populated areas in Shomron and the rest of Israel allows the Israelis to "appropriate Arab lands." The arch-terrorist further said he would agree to cede his executive position, but emphasized that reforms would not be undertaken until Israel withdraws its forces. He specifically called for new elections this coming January "without the presence of Israeli soldiers in the territories."
A vote was to be taken today on the new cabinet presented by Arafat, but it was postponed because of irresolvable inner political disputes. Israel did not allow 13 of the Council's 88 members to participate in the session because of their involvement in terrorism. They were hooked up to a satellite broadcast of the proceedings.
Some Israeli reactions to the speech:
"Arafat is not relevant, and neither is his speech." - An unofficial statement from the Prime Minister's Office, which issued no official response.
MK Michael Kleiner (Herut)'s response to Arafat's announcement that the Palestinians wish to join the international campaign against terrorism:
"I would like to inform the public that the wolf from the Little Red Riding Hood story has announced that wolves are now prepared to join the Society for the Advancement of Vegetarianism."
"Saddam Hussein is the only leader in the world who believes Arafat's lies." - Likud Knesset faction leader MK Ze'ev Boim
"Arafat is himself the biggest terrorist attack in the Middle East." - MK Zevulun Orlev, National Religious Party
"There are some promising elements in Arafat's words." - Opposition leader MK Yossi Sarid (Meretz)
Despite all, Israeli-PA meetings seem to be in style this week. Senior IDF officers led by Central Region Commander Maj.-Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky will meet tonight with top PA security officials in Jerusalem. Rumors of a meeting in the coming days between Prime Minister Sharon and either Abu Ala or Arafat's deputy Abu Mazen are afoot. Tomorrow, Saeb Erekat of the PA will meet separately with Foreign Minister Peres and Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer.
Arafat also accused Israel of using forbidden weapons, and said that the new partition wall between Arab-populated areas in Shomron and the rest of Israel allows the Israelis to "appropriate Arab lands." The arch-terrorist further said he would agree to cede his executive position, but emphasized that reforms would not be undertaken until Israel withdraws its forces. He specifically called for new elections this coming January "without the presence of Israeli soldiers in the territories."
A vote was to be taken today on the new cabinet presented by Arafat, but it was postponed because of irresolvable inner political disputes. Israel did not allow 13 of the Council's 88 members to participate in the session because of their involvement in terrorism. They were hooked up to a satellite broadcast of the proceedings.
Some Israeli reactions to the speech:
"Arafat is not relevant, and neither is his speech." - An unofficial statement from the Prime Minister's Office, which issued no official response.
MK Michael Kleiner (Herut)'s response to Arafat's announcement that the Palestinians wish to join the international campaign against terrorism:
"I would like to inform the public that the wolf from the Little Red Riding Hood story has announced that wolves are now prepared to join the Society for the Advancement of Vegetarianism."
"Saddam Hussein is the only leader in the world who believes Arafat's lies." - Likud Knesset faction leader MK Ze'ev Boim
"Arafat is himself the biggest terrorist attack in the Middle East." - MK Zevulun Orlev, National Religious Party
"There are some promising elements in Arafat's words." - Opposition leader MK Yossi Sarid (Meretz)
Despite all, Israeli-PA meetings seem to be in style this week. Senior IDF officers led by Central Region Commander Maj.-Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky will meet tonight with top PA security officials in Jerusalem. Rumors of a meeting in the coming days between Prime Minister Sharon and either Abu Ala or Arafat's deputy Abu Mazen are afoot. Tomorrow, Saeb Erekat of the PA will meet separately with Foreign Minister Peres and Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer.