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Officials still split on expelling Arafat
The prevailing assessment in Israelâs defense establishment yesterday afternoon was that the Tzrifin attack was perpetrated by a Tanzim cell from Nablus. If true, the attack could have been the trigger to change Israelâs policy toward Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, since Tanzim is affiliated with Arafatâs Fatah movement. But around midnight, the Hamas took responsibility for the attack both in Tsrigin and Jerusalem. As Sheikh Ahmed Yassin said last night, "the attacks could be by all the Palestinian groups, they are all fighting for vengeance." The end of the cease-fire and the resignation of Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas sparked renewed calls by Israeli politicians for Arafatâs expulsion. If his Fatah organization indeed proves to have been responsible for yesterdayâs attack, this might encourage the government to either accede to this demand or to take other steps against Arafat. Several such steps have been considered over the last week, including severing his ties with the outside world by reinstating a tight siege around his Muqata compound in Ramallah and disrupting the compoundâs telephone connections. Arafatâs expulsion was once again discussed in last nightâs security consultations, but the defense establishment remains divided over the wisdom of the move, while Prime Minister Ariel Sharon attributes great importance to Americaâs position. Thus far, the Americans have opposed deporting Arafat, but solid proof of Fatah involvement in yesterdayâs bombing might reduce their opposition - or at least get them to consent to a renewed siege of the Muqata. Clock is ticking... What will happen next if Israel expels Arafat? According to NYT: That speculation has given rise to a dark joke on the Israeli side: After any subsequent suicide bombing, in order to punish Mr. Arafat, Israel will have to bring him back Also my favourite from the same article: Mr. Arafat is riding in a car with Mr. Abbas, when he spots an obstacle. "Abu Mazen, thereâs a tree in the road!" Mr. Arafat cries, using Mr. Abbasâs nickname. But the car continues on its way. Mr. Arafatâs warnings grow more frantic. Finally, the car hits the tree, and as the two Palestinian leaders stumble from the wreckage, battered and bruised, Mr. Arafat turns to Mr. Abbas and says, "Abu Mazen, I told you there was a tree." Mr. Abbas replies, miserably, "But you were driving." Posted by: . 2003-09-10 |
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