Also known as Abu Mazen, the acting PLO Fatah head is the leading candidate in the Palestinian Authority election next Sunday to choose a successor to Yasser Arafat. Though some Israelis anticipate that his election will signal the dawning of a new era in the Middle East, he dashed these hopes by saying yesterday that he does not intend to disarm terrorists. He later told reporters that he intends to "protect" them from Israel.
Abu Mazen has appeared with several armed terrorists during his campaign, including Jenin terrorist leader Zekariya Zubeidi. Zubeidi, head of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, told Israel's Channel 10 television, "We are neither talking about the end of the Intifada or a cease-fire, nor an end to terror
attacks."
In a scene reminiscent of the days of Yasser Arafat, armed terrorists
in Gaza hoisted Abu Mazen on their shoulders as he toured Rafiah in southern Gaza. He repeated his oft-stated position that Jerusalem will be the capital of a new Arab state. "We will continue until a Palestinian boy and girl place a Palestinian flag over the walls and minarets of Jerusalem," he told the cheering crowds.
Israeli police reported that Israel and Abu Mazen's Fatah party have
discussed the possibility that he will visit the Temple Mount in Jerusalem this week. Israel never permitted Arafat even to enter Jerusalem, but a final decision regarding Abu Mazen will be made by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, police said.
Abu Mazen referred to wanted terrorists yesterday as people "who are
not criminals or murderers" but "are fighting for the honorable lives
of their Palestinian brothers." He also said, "When we see them, when we meet them, and when they welcome us, we owe them."
Abu Mazen read an excerpt from the Koran to a crowd in Tul Karem, just
east of Netanya. Supporters responded with chants for "millions of
martyrs" to march on Jerusalem - a phrase used often by Arafat.
Abu Mazen's militancy may make it more difficult for Israeli
government officials to defend the announced policy of coordinating
with PA security forces. Prime Minister Sharon and Defense Minister
Sha'ul Mofaz have stated they are working towards giving the PA control
of the terrorist-ridden Philadelphi Route, which includes Rafiah, even
before the planned eviction of Jews from Gaza and the withdrawal of
IDF forces.
Sharon and other government leaders have stated they have been
impressed by Abu Mazen's previous statements implying that violence
does not help Arab ambitions for a new state within Israel.
Marwan Barghouti, who is serving multiple life sentences in an Israeli
prison for terrorist murders, revealed Saturday that his recent
candidacy in the campaign was just a ploy to force Abu Mazen to
harden his stance. Barghouti was tied in the polls with Abu Mazen when
he dropped out of the race. Soon after, Abu Mazen abruptly changed his
"moderate" tone, demanding that Israel release the convicted terrorist
along with other jailed terrorists.
Barghouti credited violence with having convinced Prime Minister
Sharon to propose the plan to evict Jews from Gaza and turn Jewish
land over to Arabs. "Sharon would not have decided to withdraw from
Gaza if there had been no resistance," he said.
The campaign heated up Friday night when shots were fired at the Ramallah headquarters of People's Party candidate Bassam al-Salhi. Shots also were fired at the home of a former member of the party. No one was injured.
Abu Mazen has appeared with several armed terrorists during his campaign, including Jenin terrorist leader Zekariya Zubeidi. Zubeidi, head of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, told Israel's Channel 10 television, "We are neither talking about the end of the Intifada or a cease-fire, nor an end to terror
attacks."
In a scene reminiscent of the days of Yasser Arafat, armed terrorists
in Gaza hoisted Abu Mazen on their shoulders as he toured Rafiah in southern Gaza. He repeated his oft-stated position that Jerusalem will be the capital of a new Arab state. "We will continue until a Palestinian boy and girl place a Palestinian flag over the walls and minarets of Jerusalem," he told the cheering crowds.
Israeli police reported that Israel and Abu Mazen's Fatah party have
discussed the possibility that he will visit the Temple Mount in Jerusalem this week. Israel never permitted Arafat even to enter Jerusalem, but a final decision regarding Abu Mazen will be made by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, police said.
Abu Mazen referred to wanted terrorists yesterday as people "who are
not criminals or murderers" but "are fighting for the honorable lives
of their Palestinian brothers." He also said, "When we see them, when we meet them, and when they welcome us, we owe them."
Abu Mazen read an excerpt from the Koran to a crowd in Tul Karem, just
east of Netanya. Supporters responded with chants for "millions of
martyrs" to march on Jerusalem - a phrase used often by Arafat.
Abu Mazen's militancy may make it more difficult for Israeli
government officials to defend the announced policy of coordinating
with PA security forces. Prime Minister Sharon and Defense Minister
Sha'ul Mofaz have stated they are working towards giving the PA control
of the terrorist-ridden Philadelphi Route, which includes Rafiah, even
before the planned eviction of Jews from Gaza and the withdrawal of
IDF forces.
Sharon and other government leaders have stated they have been
impressed by Abu Mazen's previous statements implying that violence
does not help Arab ambitions for a new state within Israel.
Marwan Barghouti, who is serving multiple life sentences in an Israeli
prison for terrorist murders, revealed Saturday that his recent
candidacy in the campaign was just a ploy to force Abu Mazen to
harden his stance. Barghouti was tied in the polls with Abu Mazen when
he dropped out of the race. Soon after, Abu Mazen abruptly changed his
"moderate" tone, demanding that Israel release the convicted terrorist
along with other jailed terrorists.
Barghouti credited violence with having convinced Prime Minister
Sharon to propose the plan to evict Jews from Gaza and turn Jewish
land over to Arabs. "Sharon would not have decided to withdraw from
Gaza if there had been no resistance," he said.
The campaign heated up Friday night when shots were fired at the Ramallah headquarters of People's Party candidate Bassam al-Salhi. Shots also were fired at the home of a former member of the party. No one was injured.