WASHINGTON, May 7 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) – As hawkish Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon visits Washington for the fifth time since becoming the prime minister of Israel, to talk about a peace plan, the Israeli army has reported that it occupied Tulkarem on Tuesday, May 7.

Sharon is in the U.S. to discuss new documents which he claims implicates Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in organizing and financing terrorism.

Danny Naveh, a member of the Israeli cabinet, claimed the documents showed they should not be dealing with the Palestinian president, reported BBC’s online news service.

"It is crystal clear that Arafat can't be partner for peace again and if you want to achieve peace and to move ahead for better days of reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians, there is no place for doubts after you read this report," Naveh said.

National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice tried to put a positive spin on events, saying Sharon's visit was "an extremely important opportunity to talk with a close friend and ally", reported the BBC.

Meanwhile, an Israeli army spokesman said that the occupation forces has occupied the West Bank town of Tulkarem early on Tuesday, said Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The spokesman said that the operation was launched to prevent alleged “suicide attacks” which were being prepared targeting Israeli territory, adding that the occupation would be for a limited time.

Israeli troops took over Tulkarem for a week at the beginning of April as part of the army's huge sweep of the West Bank. It has raided the town several time since.