At this time Yasser Arafat's entire Mukata Compound lies in ruins, aside from the single building housing his office where he and 50 other wanted Arab terrorists remain holed up. Last night, soldiers planted the Israeli flag atop the PLO-leader’s office building. Throughout the night troops using loudspeakers demanded that the 50 Arabs--with blood on their hands--give themselves up. The soldiers threatened to destroy the remaining structure but have not yet done so. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said over the weekend that the siege of 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. On cue, the United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency session this week to discuss the siege.
Five Arabs were killed this morning in violent demonstrations protesting the operation. Soldiers shot and killed an Arab in the Shomron town of Tul Karem. Two people were killed in Ramallah and a two others 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 eyes of U.S. and British wardens. The six include Popular Front (PLFP) head Ahmed Saadat, whose group is responsible for murdering Tourism Minister Rechavam Ze’evi, Fuad Shubaki, the man who organized the Karin A arms smuggling operation, and four other known terrorists.
A debate continues within Israel's 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 of 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. Instead, he’s in favor of maintaining the status quo: keeping Arafat isolated within the Mukata.
Minister without Portfolio Danny Naveh told Arutz Sheva's Ya'akov Klein today that the overwhelming majority of Israelis understand that "this terrorist [Arafat] is not a partner for peace." Naveh also said that one way or another [whether by force or of his own volition], "Arafat and the gang of terrorists he brought with him from Tunis after singing the Oslo Accords must leave Israel." Naveh added that the remaining PLO terrorist infrastructure must be destroyed by military force.
While the European Union (EU) and others condemned Israel’s raid, the United States remained silent about Israel’s anti-terror efforts. On cue, the United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency session this week to discuss the siege.
Five Arabs were killed this morning in violent demonstrations protesting the operation. Soldiers shot and killed an Arab in the Shomron town of Tul Karem. Two people were killed in Ramallah and a two others 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 eyes of U.S. and British wardens. The six include Popular Front (PLFP) head Ahmed Saadat, whose group is responsible for murdering Tourism Minister Rechavam Ze’evi, Fuad Shubaki, the man who organized the Karin A arms smuggling operation, and four other known terrorists.
A debate continues within Israel's 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 of 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. Instead, he’s in favor of maintaining the status quo: keeping Arafat isolated within the Mukata.
Minister without Portfolio Danny Naveh told Arutz Sheva's Ya'akov Klein today that the overwhelming majority of Israelis understand that "this terrorist [Arafat] is not a partner for peace." Naveh also said that one way or another [whether by force or of his own volition], "Arafat and the gang of terrorists he brought with him from Tunis after singing the Oslo Accords must leave Israel." Naveh added that the remaining PLO terrorist infrastructure must be destroyed by military force.