IDF soldiers surrounding what’s left of Yasser Arafat’s Ramallah headquarters planted the Israeli flag atop the PLO-leader’s office building last night. Throughout the night troops using loudspeakers demanded that the 50 Arabs - with blood on their hands- who found refuge within the compound give themselves up. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said over the weekend that the siege on Arafat’s headquarters will continue until the terrorists are in custody. At the same time officials stress that Israel has no intention of harming the PLO chief. While the European Union (EU) and others condemned Israel’s raid, the United States remained silent about Israel’s anti-terror efforts.
A debate continues within the political ranks regarding Arafat’s fate. Former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told Israel Radio this morning that Arafat must be expelled from the country. Finance Minister Silvan Shalom agrees that now is the time to throw him out. Deputy Defense Minister, Weizman Shiri says that Arafat is free to leave the country on his own volition, but will not be allowed to return. However, Justice Minister Meir Shitrit feels that expelling Arafat would cause more damage to Israel. Instated he’s in favor of maintaining the status quo: keeping Arafat isolated within the Mukata.
Four Arabs were killed this morning in violent demonstrations againt the seige. Soldiers shot and killed an Arab during an exchange of gunfire in the Shomron town of Tul Karem. Two people were killed in Ramallah and a fourth person died in Shechem. According to the Associated Press, about 400 Jericho protestors marched to a local prison demanding the release of six Arabs who are being held under the eye of U.S. and British wardens. The six include Popular Front (PLFP) head Ahmed Saddat, who is responsible for murdering Tourism Minister Rechavam Ze’evi, Fuad Shubaki, the man who organized that the Karin A arms smuggling operation, and four other known terrorists.
A debate continues within the political ranks regarding Arafat’s fate. Former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told Israel Radio this morning that Arafat must be expelled from the country. Finance Minister Silvan Shalom agrees that now is the time to throw him out. Deputy Defense Minister, Weizman Shiri says that Arafat is free to leave the country on his own volition, but will not be allowed to return. However, Justice Minister Meir Shitrit feels that expelling Arafat would cause more damage to Israel. Instated he’s in favor of maintaining the status quo: keeping Arafat isolated within the Mukata.
Four Arabs were killed this morning in violent demonstrations againt the seige. Soldiers shot and killed an Arab during an exchange of gunfire in the Shomron town of Tul Karem. Two people were killed in Ramallah and a fourth person died in Shechem. According to the Associated Press, about 400 Jericho protestors marched to a local prison demanding the release of six Arabs who are being held under the eye of U.S. and British wardens. The six include Popular Front (PLFP) head Ahmed Saddat, who is responsible for murdering Tourism Minister Rechavam Ze’evi, Fuad Shubaki, the man who organized that the Karin A arms smuggling operation, and four other known terrorists.