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Israel allows Paleo forces to secure Arafat's burial
 JERUSALEM, Nov. 11 (Xinhuanet) -- Israel will allow Palestinian security forces to take charge of security arrangements during Arafat's burial in Ramallah, local newspaper Ha'aretz quotedDefense Minister Shaul Mofaz as saying Thursday.Since Israel still has not issued any official permit for security staff to carry weapons in the West Bank, the decision effectively means that Israel will not act against Palestinians carrying weapons during the burial, said the paper. However, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will continue to secure the area surrounding Ramallah, added the paper. According to the report, the Israeli defense establishment launched a series of measures Thursday, as part of a general alert following the death of Palestinian National Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat earlier in the day. The IDF began to implement its "New Leaf" plan, which outlines emergency measures to be taken in the immediate aftermath of Arafat's death. Â In accordance with the first stage of the plan, roadblocks were erected Thursday morning around major Palestinian population centers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The entire West Bank and the Gaza Strip was also placed under closure. Meanwhile, Israeli police on Thursday closed the Temple Mount to Jewish visitors, as part of the general alert declared in the wake of Arafat's death. The Temple Mount, where tens of thousands of Posted by: Steve White 2004-11-12 |
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