The Lebanese Daily Star reported on the reaction of Arab refugees in the Ain al-Hilweh camp in Sidon, Lebanon when news of the murder of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze?evi spread. According to the Star, members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which claimed responsibility for the attack, distributed candy and sweets to passers-by to celebrate the Israeli leader's death. A roving car, with loudspeakers attached, broadcast celebratory war songs and joyously repeated the news of the murder again and again.
?Today it is Zeevi, tomorrow it will be Sharon,? declared an Arab woman upon hearing the news. While celebrating the assassination, the PFLP also cautioned its members to stay away from local headquarters, in the event that Israel retaliates in Lebanon. The PFLP leader in Ain al-Hilweh called the murder revenge for the Israeli elimination of PFLP leader Abu Ali Mustafa, but ?Mustafa was worth a big bunch of Israeli ministers put together and the fight will go on.?
Meanwhile, the Palestine Media Center quoted PLO leader Yasser Arafat's media advisor, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, as saying that there is in fact an Israeli plot to kill Arafat and other PLO leaders. ?The plot aims to destroy the Palestine National Authority and the peace process,? claims Abu Rudeina, ?as well as the international coalition.? The PA spokesman called for United States intervention to prevent ?Israel's aggression and its plans.? He threatened that ?Israel would pay a hefty price? and that it will bear ?the full responsibility for any repercussions of the transpiring events.?
?Today it is Zeevi, tomorrow it will be Sharon,? declared an Arab woman upon hearing the news. While celebrating the assassination, the PFLP also cautioned its members to stay away from local headquarters, in the event that Israel retaliates in Lebanon. The PFLP leader in Ain al-Hilweh called the murder revenge for the Israeli elimination of PFLP leader Abu Ali Mustafa, but ?Mustafa was worth a big bunch of Israeli ministers put together and the fight will go on.?
Meanwhile, the Palestine Media Center quoted PLO leader Yasser Arafat's media advisor, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, as saying that there is in fact an Israeli plot to kill Arafat and other PLO leaders. ?The plot aims to destroy the Palestine National Authority and the peace process,? claims Abu Rudeina, ?as well as the international coalition.? The PA spokesman called for United States intervention to prevent ?Israel's aggression and its plans.? He threatened that ?Israel would pay a hefty price? and that it will bear ?the full responsibility for any repercussions of the transpiring events.?