The PA leadership convened today in Arafat's Mukata compound - where Israel has kept the terrorist mastermind confined for the past 17 months - to discuss the ramifications of Abu Mazen's resignation and decide on a replacement. PA Parliament Speaker Ahmed Qureia, known as Abu Ala, appears to be Arafat's favored choice. Israel has said that it will not accept an Arafat figurehead as head of the PA.
The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement last night in light of the resignation of Abbas, saying, "It goes without saying that Israel will not countenance a situation in which control of the Palestinian leadership reverts back to Yasser Arafat or someone who does his bidding."
The radical left-wing organization Gush Shalom poured fuel onto the fire by declaring that Abu Mazen's resignation is a "great victory" for Ariel Sharon, who "from the beginning intended to topple Abu Mazen... in a way calculated to put the blame on Yasser Arafat." The organization expresses concern over the "immediate danger that Sharon may exploit the new situation in order to kill Arafat" while pretending to deport him.
The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement last night in light of the resignation of Abbas, saying, "It goes without saying that Israel will not countenance a situation in which control of the Palestinian leadership reverts back to Yasser Arafat or someone who does his bidding."
The radical left-wing organization Gush Shalom poured fuel onto the fire by declaring that Abu Mazen's resignation is a "great victory" for Ariel Sharon, who "from the beginning intended to topple Abu Mazen... in a way calculated to put the blame on Yasser Arafat." The organization expresses concern over the "immediate danger that Sharon may exploit the new situation in order to kill Arafat" while pretending to deport him.