Israel Attacks Arafat's Office (Arafat is OK)

(AP) ^ | March 6, 2002, 4:20 PM EST

[Dallas]

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- An Israeli helicopter fired a missile at Yasser Arafat's West Bank headquarters on Wednesday as the Palestinian leader was meeting with the European Union envoy, officials said.

The missile exploded 50 feet from the building, Palestinian officials said. No one was hurt.

EU Mideast envoy Miguel Moratinos was meeting with Arafat when the Israelis struck, said Javier Sancho, Moratinos' spokesman.

"We are not now making any comment. We need to gather more information, but we were there, yes," Sancho told The Associated Press minutes after the attack.

Nabil Abu Rdeneh, a senior Arafat aide, denounced the attack, saying: "We warn the Israeli government that such continuation of this escalation might lead into an explosion in the whole region and more bloodshed on both sides."

Israel has confined Arafat to his Ramallah headquarters for three months, demanding that he take steps to stop Palestinian attacks and arrest the assassins of an Israeli Cabinet minister. Palestinians say that Arafat's confinement has limited his ability to control the attacks.

Copyright © 2002, The Associated Press

[michigander]

EU Mideast envoy Miguel Moratinos was meeting with Arafat when the Israelis struck

Knock knock. Anybody home?

[finnman69]

I think Israel's strategy of repeatedly hitting Arafat's HQ w/o the intent to kill him makes them look weak and only serves to anger Palestinians. Israel needs a better tactic than this.

[Catspaw]

"We are not now making any comment. We need to gather more information, but we were there, yes," Sancho told The Associated Press minutes after the attack.

Translation: "I've asked my valet to deliver pair of clean shorts from the hotel to Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah before I can walk without squishing."

[ken5050]

S**t!!

[Reborn]

Israel Attacks Arafat's Office (Arafat is OK)

Damn, try firing off another round boys. Perhaps the problem was indecision. Do ya go after Araflat or the EU yes men?

[Snake65]

I can't believe Israel couldn't laser-illuminate Arafat's impressive schnoz if they really wanted to take him out. Sounds like a screw-up.

[mykdsmom]

Geez, this weasel has more lives than a cat.

Of course maybe they'd have more success if they would actually shoot to kill.

MKM

[pitinkie]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dallas]

The Israelis have already blown all the military/police targets to hell.

The militants hide in populated areas of the refugee camps, so I don't think they have much to choose from.

[Alouette]

The missile exploded 50 feet from the building, Palestinian officials said. No one was hurt.

You put this in breaking news????

[NormsRevenge]

"We warn the Israeli government that such continuation of this escalation might lead into an explosion in the whole region and more bloodshed on both sides."

What the hell do you call all the crap that has been happening the last year and a half?

Get a grip. Mr. SpokesMouth.. LOOK OUT INCOMMMINNNNGGG!!!!

[TomGuy]

The missile exploded 50 feet from the building, Palestinian officials said. No one was hurt.

I thought the Israelis figured out months ago that "scare tactics" don't work. They need to get serious or their problems are going to continue.

[Dallas]

When the Israelis think world opinion can accept Arafat's demise---they'll give him an express ticket to AllahLand.

Until then---they're just toying with him...

[shaggy eel]

,,, "Israel attacks Arafat's Office (Arafat's OK)"

How about "Arafat uninjured"? - I can never imagine a time when Arafat would be OK.

[Dallas]

Give me a break---I've had a tough day..

[Ciexyz]

So what did the Israelis hope to get out of this attack? A dead EU minister? A dead Arafat? What did they accomplish with this action? Nuttin'.

[a_witness]

So what did the Israelis hope to get out of this attack?
1. Pressure on Arafat ?
2. Pressure on European diplomats ?
3. Target practice ?
4. Why does it matter to you ? It is their responsibility and even SOS Colin Powell said PM Sharon needs to think hard if his policies will work. So he's thinking hard already ... thinking, thinking, thinking ...

[Catspaw]

I can't believe Israel couldn't laser-illuminate Arafat's impressive schnoz if they really wanted to take him out. Sounds like a screw-up.

I don't think it was a screw-up. Think of it as a warning shot across the bow.

Additionally, the EU (aka The Arab League) might feel a little uncomfortable meeting with Arafat in Ramallah. The next EU whine will be, like Saudi Crown Prince Abdullahs, will be to demand that Arafat be released from his imprisonment in Ramallah. It'll be a high-pitched nasal screed, of course, but my suggestion that if the EU wants Arafat so badly, they can take him home with them. Arafat can rejoin his lovely wife, Suha, in France. I just hate keeping a loving couple apart, you know.