Free Republic

<p>August 19, 2002 -- TEL AVIV - An ex-treasurer of the Palestine Liberation Organization has accused Yasser Arafat of taking more than a half-billion dollars in international aid - and transferring it to his personal accounts.</p> <p>The shocking allegation comes on the heels of an Israeli intelligence report released last week that said Arafat had secretly amassed at least $1.3 billion in bank accounts in Europe, Arab countries, the Far East and the United States.</p>

Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat has personal assets estimated at a value of $1.3 billion, IDF Intelligence Chief Major General Aharon Ze'evi (Farakash) said Tuesday. Speaking Tuesday before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Ze'evi said that Arafat is isolated and criticism of the long-time Palestinian leader is growing - both within Palestinian society and Arafat's own Fatah movement. He said dissatisfaction with Arafat is being expressed in mass demonstrations in Gaza, Jenin and Tubas; newspapers; as well as a phenomenon of smashing photographs of Arafat. Even close associates of the Palestinian leader are distancing themselves, and some are...