|
'Israeli plans' for Arafat death
ISRAELI ARAFAT DEATH SCENARIO 456.01 MARK 3Israel should brace itself for violence and refuse Yasser Arafat's burial in Jerusalem when he dies, according to a reported government contingency plan. The best way of assuring that would involve recovery teams not being able to find anything large enough to bury. Several media outlets have published details of what is said to be Israel's plan to handle the death of the Palestinian leader, who is in his 70s. The plan proposes a burial for Mr Arafat in Abu Dis, rather than the holy ground of Jerusalem. But Israel has no intention of harming him at the moment, Israeli radio said. It broadcast an interview with the Israeli Deputy Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, who said Israel had "no personal plans" for Mr Arafat. Other than snuffing his terrorist @ss. ISRAEL CONTINGENCY PLANThe document reportedly says the Palestinian Authority is likely to collapse and major violence would flare up in the West Bank and Gaza - beginning in the refugee camps - fanned by Hamas and other Islamic groups. Isn't that happening already? Israel would oppose any attempt by the militants to take control of Palestinian areas with "extreme measures", including launching a broad military operation in the Gaza Strip, according to reports on the document. Steps would be taken to stop any rumours that Israel was in any way connected with a death by natural causes. That's something Israel should give up on right now. Even if Arafat died in an Egyptian hospital it would still be made out as a "Zionist plot." If Crown Abdullah can attribute al Qaeda to a Zionist plot, anything goes. Sent away to die The document is said to anticipate that Palestinians will demand Mr Arafat be buried in the Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary), known to Jews as the Temple Mount, which houses the al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem. Good idea. This maggot's grave will rapidly become a Palestinian shrine. Far too many Israelis will be justifiably tempted to piss upon it and revenge attacks will result. Too bad they can't just bury him in an outhouse so everybody can take their turn. But this is ruled out as "symbolically problematic". The best eventuality, the document says, is that Mr Arafat be treated abroad if his health deteriorates and for him to die Only a sniper low on ammunition would find such a target rich environment "troubling." The burial should take place in the suburb of Abu Dis, which overlooks the old city of Jerusalem but lies outside the land claimed by Israel as its capital, the document says. There's the real reason. The document concludes that Israel must begin preparing for Mr Arafat's death by putting "pressure" on militant groups, to minimise their future capabilities, and opening dialogue with Palestinians who would form an "acceptable" government. Responding to the report, an Arafat adviser told Israeli Army Radio that the Palestinian leader is in still control and "very healthy". All that can change. Besides, Arafat's and Palestine's deteriorating health seem to be in equally bad shape. Right down to how neither wants to admit it. Posted by: Zenster 2004-07-14 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=38046 |