Israeli Left-wing Lawmakers Protest Against Siege of Arafat

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, September 23, 2002

Israeli Left-wing Lawmakers Protest Against Siege of Arafat

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Israeli left-wing lawmakers on Sunday expressed their protests against the military siege of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, calling for an urgent Knesset (parliament) meeting to debate the operations.

Israel Radio reported that opposition leader, Meretz Party chairman Yossi Sarid accused the Ariel Sharon government of pressing the siege for political rather than security reasons.

Yossi Beilin, a lawmaker known as one of the architects of the Mideast peace process, also denounced that the siege of Arafat has been strengthening Palestinian radical groups, such as Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Islamic Jihad (Holy War).

The siege would incite the Arab world and make Israel "look likea violent country that doesn't weigh its actions," he added.

Israeli Arab lawmaker Ahmed Tibi said Arafat may get killed in one of the military operations, according to the radio.

"The building might collapse on him, by mistake or on purpose," he said, "this possibility existed over the past two days and will continue to exist."

Arafat has been confined in his Ramallah compound after a suicide bombing Thursday in Tel Aviv, leaving 8 people dead and about 60 others injured.

The Israeli army on Saturday planted explosives all over Arafat's compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah, mainly in two buildings very close to the one where Arafat is being confined.

The Israeli troops afterwards threatened to blast the last buildings at the compound if the occupants, including Arafat, refuse to surrender themselves.

Early Sunday morning, at least four Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded by Israeli forces as thousands rallied across the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to show support for their leader Yasser Arafat.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Israeli "A Matter of Time" Operation Targets at Arafat

Arafat May Rein in Militants in Exchange for Ending Siege: Report

Egyptian President, Saudi Crown Prince Mull Arafat's Situation

Know Who to Love, Who to Hate ( 2 Messages)

China to Build up Oil Stockpile ( 2 Messages)

China Since 1990: Facts and Figures Tell of Rising Prosperity ( 26 Messages)

Dozens Could Have Died in Food Poisoning in Nanjing ( 19 Messages)

China Hopes to See Iraqi Issue Resolved Within UN Framework ( 43 Messages)