Israel decided Wednesday to assassinate Palestinian activists as the Palestinians held an emergency Cabinet meeting to decide how to respond to a Hamas suicide bombing that killed 20, including five Americans.
Israeli officials chose to resume assassination attempts regardless of what the Palestinian Authority does, the Israeli media reported. The raids were expected to begin later Wednesday. Meanwhile, a column of 13 Israeli tanks was seen lining up outside the West Bank town of Ramallah, Palestinian witnesses said.
The Palestinian Cabinet did not announce a decision after its three-hour session, except to say the rule of law in the West Bank and Gaza Strip would be enforced.
After the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas received a phone call from Secretary of State Colin Powell, who said "the Palestinian Authority should take immediate measures to stop the deterioration," Palestinian Information Minister Nabil Amr said, according to the AP.
Earlier Wednesday, Palestinian security chief Mohammed Dahlan met with Palestinian security commanders in the Gaza Strip, ordering them "to be on high alert to implement whatever decision will be taken by the political leadership and the Palestinian Authority against those who were involved in yesterday's attack in Jerusalem," spokesman Elias Zananiri said.
Yasser Abed Rabbo, the Palestinian Minister for Negotiations with Israel, said, "We have decided to boycott Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and at the same time the Palestinian leadership has instructed the Palestinian cabinet and the Palestinian security services to take all necessary measures in order to preserve the Palestinian national interests." (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
