\"No one, particularly those who have not been exposed to, or fought against, terrorism, has the right to preach to Israel regarding the fight against terrorism,\" said Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at this morning’s government meeting. Sharon said that he sees the Danish attacks on Israeli Ambassador-designate Carmi Gillon, a former director of the General Security Services, as attacks on the State of Israel and on its right to self-defense. “Even more grievous is the leniency shown to terrorists and terrorism, past and present, by those who at the same time self-righteously criticize those who fight against terrorism. This leniency towards terrorism is a danger to the free world and world order,\" the Prime Minister continued. In a related item, a leading Danish newspaper, Yutland Posten, yesterday ran a top story to the effect that Denmark is helping Arafat\'s regime torture prisoners and deprive residents of their civil rights. The story quotes Bassam Eid, head of the Palestinian Civil Rights Organization.
At another point during today\'s meeting, Sharon also defended the residents of Hevron in the face of criticism by GSS head Avi Dichter. Sharon rebuked him for referring to the residents of Hevron as \"the extreme right-wing.\" Sharon said there are only a few people in Hevron who could be considered extreme, and that \"we must not repeat the mistakes of the past\" [an apparent reference to the post-Rabin period when the residents of Yesha were collectively blamed for the assassination].\"
At another point during today\'s meeting, Sharon also defended the residents of Hevron in the face of criticism by GSS head Avi Dichter. Sharon rebuked him for referring to the residents of Hevron as \"the extreme right-wing.\" Sharon said there are only a few people in Hevron who could be considered extreme, and that \"we must not repeat the mistakes of the past\" [an apparent reference to the post-Rabin period when the residents of Yesha were collectively blamed for the assassination].\"