Though the decision was made "in principle" and not "in practice," as a senior government source emphasized today, it drew much criticism from around the world and the PA, and by some in Israel.
U.S. Ambassador Dan Kurtzer met with Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz this morning, in an attempt to convince him not to implement the expulsion. Mofaz told him, "Israel made a historic mistake by not expelling him a long time ago. The entire world now knows that it was he who caused the peace process to fail." Minister Mofaz said last night that Arafat should be killed, not expelled - but Prime Minister Sharon and others dismissed such talk out of hand.
The White House spokesman said that Arafat is a problem, but that expelling him would not solve it. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who said yesterday that he would be willing to accept an expelled Arafat "with open arms," says that he is against expelling him, "not for Arafat's sake, but to ensure stability." The European Union's position is that steps that will "lead to an escalation" must be avoided.
IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi said last night that the military is ready with a plan to remove Yasser Arafat from the Mukata and expel him. He said that the plan was devised and rehearsed long ago, and that troops are ready to implement it upon command.
Thousands of PA residents took to the streets in Ramallah last night upon hearing the news of the Cabinet decision, demonstrating in support of Yasser Arafat. Arafat, mincing no words, told them, "We will march to Jerusalem with millions of martyrs!" He further said he would not agree to be expelled, even at the price of his death.
Newly-appointed PA chief Ahmed Qureia (Abu Ala), who has called for Israel to make gestures *towards* Arafat, was sharply critical of Israel's decision. PA terror organizations threatened a major terrorist response if Arafat is expelled - while at the same time PA sources said they would protest the Israeli decision in the United Nations Security Council.
U.S. Ambassador Dan Kurtzer met with Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz this morning, in an attempt to convince him not to implement the expulsion. Mofaz told him, "Israel made a historic mistake by not expelling him a long time ago. The entire world now knows that it was he who caused the peace process to fail." Minister Mofaz said last night that Arafat should be killed, not expelled - but Prime Minister Sharon and others dismissed such talk out of hand.
The White House spokesman said that Arafat is a problem, but that expelling him would not solve it. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who said yesterday that he would be willing to accept an expelled Arafat "with open arms," says that he is against expelling him, "not for Arafat's sake, but to ensure stability." The European Union's position is that steps that will "lead to an escalation" must be avoided.
IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi said last night that the military is ready with a plan to remove Yasser Arafat from the Mukata and expel him. He said that the plan was devised and rehearsed long ago, and that troops are ready to implement it upon command.
Thousands of PA residents took to the streets in Ramallah last night upon hearing the news of the Cabinet decision, demonstrating in support of Yasser Arafat. Arafat, mincing no words, told them, "We will march to Jerusalem with millions of martyrs!" He further said he would not agree to be expelled, even at the price of his death.
Newly-appointed PA chief Ahmed Qureia (Abu Ala), who has called for Israel to make gestures *towards* Arafat, was sharply critical of Israel's decision. PA terror organizations threatened a major terrorist response if Arafat is expelled - while at the same time PA sources said they would protest the Israeli decision in the United Nations Security Council.