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Israel ready to oust Arafat
The Israeli army is ready to ?remove? Palestinian President Yasser Arafat if the government gives the order, the Jerusalem Post newspaper reported yesterday, citing a senior military source. The report in the right-wing daily, which recently editorialised in favour of killing Arafat, followed a decision in principle by Israel?s security cabinet last month to oust the Palestinian leader. The ministers did not say how or when.
The Israeli threat against Arafat, a 74-year-old symbol of Palestinian nationalism, sparked an international outcry and drew U.S. opposition. ?We have presented plans showing the risks and the chances of the operation itself, including the options to remove him alive or not?, the Post quoted the source. ?The government has to make a decision to allow the army to act. The army is ready?, the military source was quoted saying.
Arafat has been confined to his West Bank compound in Ramallah for much of the past two years. Security sources have said commandos in the past year have rehearsed snatching Arafat expelling him to a third country, possibly in North Africa. Arafat has said he would fight to the death if Israel tried to expel him. Israel accuses Arafat of fomenting violence, a charge he denies.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had appeared to rule out expelling Arafat in a newspaper interview last week, but then told parliament on Monday that Israel was still determined to ?remove? the Palestinian leader.
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