Roundup: Israel Declares Yasser Arafat 'an Enemy'

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, March 30, 2002

Roundup: Israel Declares Yasser Arafat 'an Enemy'

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Friday declared Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat "an enemy," who will be isolated, and said Israeli troops will start wide-ranging operations against the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).

Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem early Friday, Sharon however refrained from calling Arafat to exile or expelling him.

And Defense Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer, who sat by Sharon's right side at the press conference, said the Israeli troops will not hurt Arafat physically.

He also pointed out that the Palestinian people are not Israel's enemy and what Israel will fight against is terrorism.

The press conference came after a marathon cabinet meeting which began late Thursday night and continued for more than six hours, discussing Israel's response to a Seder night suicide attack, or "Passover massacre," in which 24 Israelis were killed and dozens wounded by a Palestinian suicide bomber.

Almost simultaneously, dozens of Israeli tanks, armored vehicles and infantry troops started early Friday a military operation against the West Bank town of Ramallah, where Arafat is staying.

At least one Palestinian woman was killed and 10 were injured as Israeli troops opened fire at several houses around Arafat's headquarters.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a top aide to Arafat, confirmed reports Friday that several tanks were surrounding Arafat's main headquarters. He added that Israeli Defense Forces bulldozers demolished the fence ringing Arafat's compound.

Rudeineh said an Israeli tank fired a shell that hit one of the halls at Arafat's offices in Ramallah.

He said Arafat was staying at his office together with several Palestinian National Authority officials and ministers and the leader was disconnected from the outside world and his personal safety was in danger.

The Israeli army operation against Ramallah is in retaliation to the Seder night suicide bombing attack carried out by a Hamas militant in the northern Israeli city of Netanya on Wednesday.

Earlier the Israeli government had approved a wide-scale military operation against the PNA and Prime Minister Sharon accused Arafat and the PNA of being responsible for the terror attacks.

Rudeineh said Friday that the Israeli government of Ariel Sharon is responsible for the military escalation against the Palestinians and for the deterioration of the security situation.

He said the Israeli government was playing with fire, warning Israel against causing any harm to Arafat.

According to the latest reports, the town of Ramallah is totally under Israeli occupation as Israeli tanks and troops entered the compound of Arafat's headquarters, knocking down wallsand exchanging fire with his security guards.

In face of Israel's full-fledged provocation, Palestinian authorities Friday called on the United States to put an immediate stop to the violent act of Israel.

Questions?Comments? Click here

>> Full Coverage