Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met this morning with the mini-Cabinet - Ministers Mofaz, Netanyahu, Orlev [whose resignation goes into effect tomorrow night] and Lapid - and other security leaders to make the decision. Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu raised the fear that Arafat's body may be snatched by mobs of Arab mourners and taken to Jerusalem for burial, but General Security Service head Avi Dichter said, "We have not received any word of this eventuality."
The mini-Cabinet stated that the decision was made in accordance with the "recommendation of the security establishment."
MK Ran Cohen of the extreme left-wing party Meretz/Yachad congratulated the government on its decision, saying, "Arafat Hill will ultimately become a pilgrimage site like Mt. Herzl." He said that the decision will "stabilize the new leadership and will strengthen it to take the pragmatic path to peace."
MK Nissim Ze'ev (Shas), contacted by Arutz-7 for his response, said, "---
Sharon said ten days ago that under no circumstances would Arafat be buried in Jerusalem, and most of the recent reports stated that a Gaza burial was a likely option. Egypt has reportedly offered to host the first stage of Arafat's funeral, with the actual burial to take place elsewhere.
The mini-Cabinet also decided that the responsibility for the funeral and its security arrangements will be solely in the hands of the Palestinian Authority. It was not made clear, however, whether the PA would be allowed to enhance its security forces for this purpose. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to try to attend the funeral.
In accordance with another decision made today, the Jerusalem police will be reinforced. The funeral will apparently be held at the same time as the Friday Ramadan prayers - the last for this year - are underway on the Temple Mount.
The Mukata headquarters in Ramallah, where the burial is expected to take place, is located only 10-11 kilometers (less than 7 miles) north of Jerusalem. The Jewish community of Psagot is located adjacent to Ramallah, on its east, and Beit El is two kilometers to the north. The IDF will be responsible for isolating Ramallah, and will deploy in force outside the city and around the nearby Jewish communities.
Israel will allow Israelis to take part in the funeral, if they sign a waiver taking responsibility for their own safety. Gaza residents will not be allowed to attend the funeral, except for VIPs. The Yesha Council has turned down a request to supply bullet-proof buses for those who wish to attend the funeral, saying it has no desire to take part in honoring the murderer of so many Jews.
Arafat's bureau director, Tayeb Abdul Rahim, said that the PA leadership has decided to turn the Mukata headquarters into a mausoleum, "until peace arrives and we will then bury Arafat on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem." Jewish law forbids burial on the Temple Mount.
Sharon said that no terrorists will be released at this time, as "now is not the time to talk about gestures of this type." It could be that a new period will begin and negotiations will be enabled, Sharon said, but added, "everything depends on whether there is an end to terrorism and incitement. Right now we cannot make any concessions, because this will be a victory for terrorism."
The mini-Cabinet stated that the decision was made in accordance with the "recommendation of the security establishment."
MK Ran Cohen of the extreme left-wing party Meretz/Yachad congratulated the government on its decision, saying, "Arafat Hill will ultimately become a pilgrimage site like Mt. Herzl." He said that the decision will "stabilize the new leadership and will strengthen it to take the pragmatic path to peace."
MK Nissim Ze'ev (Shas), contacted by Arutz-7 for his response, said, "---
Sharon said ten days ago that under no circumstances would Arafat be buried in Jerusalem, and most of the recent reports stated that a Gaza burial was a likely option. Egypt has reportedly offered to host the first stage of Arafat's funeral, with the actual burial to take place elsewhere.
The mini-Cabinet also decided that the responsibility for the funeral and its security arrangements will be solely in the hands of the Palestinian Authority. It was not made clear, however, whether the PA would be allowed to enhance its security forces for this purpose. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to try to attend the funeral.
In accordance with another decision made today, the Jerusalem police will be reinforced. The funeral will apparently be held at the same time as the Friday Ramadan prayers - the last for this year - are underway on the Temple Mount.
The Mukata headquarters in Ramallah, where the burial is expected to take place, is located only 10-11 kilometers (less than 7 miles) north of Jerusalem. The Jewish community of Psagot is located adjacent to Ramallah, on its east, and Beit El is two kilometers to the north. The IDF will be responsible for isolating Ramallah, and will deploy in force outside the city and around the nearby Jewish communities.
Israel will allow Israelis to take part in the funeral, if they sign a waiver taking responsibility for their own safety. Gaza residents will not be allowed to attend the funeral, except for VIPs. The Yesha Council has turned down a request to supply bullet-proof buses for those who wish to attend the funeral, saying it has no desire to take part in honoring the murderer of so many Jews.
Arafat's bureau director, Tayeb Abdul Rahim, said that the PA leadership has decided to turn the Mukata headquarters into a mausoleum, "until peace arrives and we will then bury Arafat on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem." Jewish law forbids burial on the Temple Mount.
Sharon said that no terrorists will be released at this time, as "now is not the time to talk about gestures of this type." It could be that a new period will begin and negotiations will be enabled, Sharon said, but added, "everything depends on whether there is an end to terrorism and incitement. Right now we cannot make any concessions, because this will be a victory for terrorism."