Israel's Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom was quoted Wednesday as telling Israeli parliament members that he would favor expelling Yasser Arafat.
Shalom's comments contradicted the recommendations of the Israeli army whose generals have warned that banishing Arafat could incite even more attacks against Israeli targets.
In remarks broadcast over Israel Radio, Shalom said "My position regarding the expulsion of Arafat has not changed," since he spoke out in favor of his removal two years ago.
Arafat "won't let Abu Mazen succeed," Shalom said, referring to Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmud Abbas. "Because if Abu Mazen were to succeed against terrorism, everyone would come to Arafat and say 'how come you didn't succeed?" the Israeli minister conveyed.
Meanwhile, Palestinian sources reported that Israeli forces on Wednesday re-invaded the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, after it withdrew for several hours.
Israeli tanks pulled out of the Gazan town Tuesday after a five-day invasion in which eight Palestinians were killed and some fifty others were wounded.
Palestinian sources said that at least ten homes were demolished and five others were partially destroyed in the Israeli raid. Telephone lines were cut, water networks damaged and streets were ravaged during the fiercest invasion in months, the sources said.
The re-invasion forced the Palestinian prime minister to cancel a tour to the town. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
