Israel Considers Expelling Arafat

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, May 09, 2002

Israel Considers Expelling Arafat

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon returned home from talks in Washington to determine Israel's response to a suicide bombing that killed 15 Israelis.
He held an emergency Israeli Cabinet meeting early Thursday to consider proposals, which could include an offensive in the Gaza Strip and Arafat's expulsion.

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Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon returned home from talks in Washington to determine Israel's response a suicide bombing that killed 15 Israelis.

He held an emergency Israeli Cabinet meeting early Thursday to consider proposals, which could include an offensive in the Gaza Strip and Arafat's expulsion.

Palestinian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they expected Israel to strike at the Gaza Strip, home base of Hamas, which claimed responsibility for Tuesday's bombing and scores of other attacks during the past 19 months of fighting.

Sheik Ahmed Yassin, the Hamas spiritual leader, told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday his group would continue attacks against Israel. "Israel's action will not go unpunished. They have harmed civilians and so their civilians will be harmed," he said. Israel arrested two Hamas leaders in the West Bank on Wednesday.

The densely populated Gaza Strip was spared during Israel's recent military operation in the West Bank, launched March 29 in response to suicide bombings that killed dozens of Israelis.

Defense Ministry spokesman Yarden Vatikay declined to comment on the possibility of an incursion into Gaza.

"Where there are terrorists, we will act and are acting now," he said. "There are no limits on us."

Sharon, who has held Arafat responsible for the attacks, said before beginning the emergency Cabinet session that "Israel will act strongly. The battle continues and will continue, until all those who believe that they can make gains through the use of terror will cease to exist."

Education Minister Limor Livnat, who traveled with Sharon, said "it is very possible that in the end, there will be no choice and it will be necessary to expel Arafat."

It would be extremely difficult to deport Arafat, however. Surrounded by a loyal protective guard, he's vowed never to leave. Any move to force his departure could inflame the Arab world to a degree not seen in the 19-month conflict �� especially if the 72-year-old Palestinian leader were to be harmed.

A senior Israeli official said Sharon and Bush discussed moving the Palestinian leader into a ceremonial position to make way for new leadership.

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