Sources close to Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat said Sunday that in spite of an Israeli ban on him attending Christmas Mass in Bethlehem, his convoy would make its way to the city, and confront Israeli soldiers who try to block his way.
Diplomatic sources in Jerusalem told the Tel Aviv-based Haaretz daily in response that Israel would not let Arafat through the Israeli checkpoints. "We will not give in to the head of an entity that supports terror, while master terrorists roam free at his side." they said. The Prime Minister's Office conveyed that Israel respected freedom of religion, but that Arafat himself was Muslim.
Arafat repeated his pledge Sunday to go to Bethlehem for Christmas, saying, "No one will prevent me from travelling to Ramallah."
Israeli Ban
The Israeli cabinet decided late Saturday night that it would prevent Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat from attending Christmas festivities in Bethlehem because “he had not done enough to clamp down on terror organizations.”
Israel’s security cabinet took this decision through a telephone vote. "The cabinet made its decision based on the fact that Arafat is not acting to dismantle Palestinian terror organizations and to prevent terror against Israel from Palestinian Authority areas," the Israeli prime ministry said in a press statement.
To reach Bethlehem in the southern West Bank, Arafat, who has been confined to Ramallah for two weeks, would need to cross Israeli-ruled territory. The Palestinian Authority asked Israel's leadership to allow Arafat to travel from his Ramallah office to Jesus' birthplace in a helicopter that was apparently to have been loaned to Arafat by Jordan, the Tel Aviv based Haaretz reported.
The European Union contacted the Israeli Foreign Ministry Director-General Avi Gil and expressed support for Arafat's bid. An Israeli denial of the request, said EU officials, would not be taken well in the Christian world.
Arafat declared Saturday that he would participate in Christmas mass in Bethlehem "with or without Israeli approval," even if he has to travel on foot to the church in order to take part.
"I will go although Israel will not give me coordination. I will go, even walking," the Arafat told members of two American Jewish groups, Jewish Unity for a Just Peace, and Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel.
According to Haaretz, sources in Sharon's office said Friday that Arafat would not be allowed to take part in the mass unless two of Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze'evi's murderers were arrested. "Arafat has a lot of work to do in Ramallah," Sharon spokesman Ra'anan Gissin said Friday. Arafat must arrest Ze'evi's murderers, he added.
Abu Ala - Peres Plan
Israel will recognize a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip within eight weeks, according to a report appearing Sunday morning in the Israeli “Yediot Aharonot” daily. The Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres and Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qurei (Abu Ala) have crystallized the details of this plan.
According to the new understanding, Israel will recognize the Palestinian state in areas A and B, under full and partial Palestinian Authority control, in compliance with UN resolutions 242 and 338, with the Palestinians recognizing Israeli sovereignty as well, the report said. Both sides will implement recommendations of the Mitchell report with negotiations commencing on a final status agreement with establishment of the state coming later.
However, Israel’s Prime Minister Sharon described the Peres peace plan "wild and dangerous," according to Israel Radio, saying the floating of the idea causes Israel “great damage.”
Sharon emphasized that he did not give his nod to Peres Abu Ala plan, adding peace talks would resume only after end to “terrorism, incitement.” Sharon commented he would lead peace talks himself.
Meanwhile, the Israeli hardline Tourism Minister Benny Elon called on Sharon to sack Peres saying, "It's not possible that in war time Peres is establishing an Oslo underground in the government."
Several Palestinian sources have reportedly dismissed the reported Peres plan deeming unacceptable any agreement not based on an Israeli return to 1967 borders, east Jerusalem as a capital of a Palestinian state, and a solution to the status of Palestinian refugees.
Arrests
Meanwhile, Palestinian police arrested the commander of the Islamic Jihad's military wing, Shadi Muhana, in his home Saturday night, Palestinian sources said. Muhana's second-in-command, Mahmoud Judeh, was also detained.
This development is the latest in a clampdown on Islamic groups by the Palestinian security forces, following pressure exerted on Arafat by Israel, the United States and the European Union. (Albawaba.com)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
