Israel re-launched another hostile campaign against Arafat

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, July 13 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Israel turned up heat on Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, threatening that it would take actions against the Palestinian leader "if he continues to undermine the efforts for a peace settlement."

"We envisage a change of attitude towards Arafat if he continues to undermine the efforts for a peace settlement," an Israeli official told Agence France-Presse (AFP) Saturday, July 12.

The Israeli official, who requested anonymity did not indicate what the "change of attitude" might involve nor whether, as some earlier reports had suggested, Israel might consider deporting Arafat, an issue that has been hotly debated among Israeli politicians.

But he noted this move may not have the desired effect for Israel.

He expressed concern about the "control that Yasser Arafat wields over Palestinian security institutions," and said Israel's views on the Palestinian leader had been communicated to Washington in "regular contacts."

Also Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon re-launched his campaign against Arafat ahead of a trip to Europe, alleging that Arafat was undermining his own Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas.

"It is a major mistake to keep up contact with Arafat because he is undermining Abu Mazen's government," Sharon told the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Israel has isolated Arafat in his West Bank headquarters in Ramallah for the past year-and-a-half. Lifting the siege on the veteran leader has been a key demand by Palestinian officials in recent contacts with their Israeli counterparts.

Against Peace

But a senior Palestinian official fired back, calling the campaign against Arafat a campaign against the peace process.

"This campaign led by  Sharon, his cabinet and the Israeli secret services against president Arafat is, in reality, a campaign against the peace process and the roadmap," said Ahmad Abdul Rahman, an Arafat's aide.

He rejected what he termed "Israeli interference in our internal affairs" and warned any move "would have dangerous repercussions on peace in the region".

"Sharon is betting on an internal Palestinian conflict and is trying to enflame Palestinians after the forces and groups decreed a ceasefire," Abdul Rahman said.

"He who wants peace must lift the blockade imposed on the elected president Arafat, instead of making threats that will deteriorate the situation," he added.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said that Arafat must be sidelined if progress is to be made towards Middle East peace.

"It is a major mistake to keep up contact with Arafat because he is undermining (Palestinian Prime Minister) Abu Mazen's government," Sharon told the British Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Israel's hostile rhetoric came as the ranking Egyptian security delegation wrapped up fruitful talks with Palestinian factions with the aim of entrenching the fledgling three-month truce with Israel.