Israeli Troops Open Fire on Arafat's Private Office

Reuters | 3/29/02

[kattracks]

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Israeli troops opened fire Friday on the private offices of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinian officials said.

A Palestinian official said Arafat's life was in jeopardy.

Palestinians have been waging an uprising against occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since September 2000. At least 1,107 Palestinians and 381 Israelis have been killed in tit-for-tat violence since the revolt began.

[grammymoon]

Very Funny-A needed laugh duing this crisis-Thanks

[Nix 2]

Was there EVER a *peace* process? I don't think so. But there is definitely a *war* process now. Thank G-d.

[Kermit]

Reuters, this is an editorial statement:

"Palestinians have been waging an uprising against occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since September 2000."

This would be the correct version:

"Palestinians have been waging an uprising against the existence of Israel and have conducted an animalistic terror campaign since September 2000. Arafat turned down a peace, that would have given him the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza. Arafat prefered terrorism."

[Kermit]

Reuters, this is an editorial statement:

"Palestinians have been waging an uprising against occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since September 2000."

This would be the correct version:

"Palestinians have been waging an uprising against the existence of Israel and have conducted an animalistic terror campaign since September 2000. Arafat turned down a peace, that would have given him the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza. Arafat prefered terrorism."

[nofriendofbills]

The European Union reaffirmed that Arafat remained a legitimate authority and its interlocutor for peace, while French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine criticised Israel's "attempt to stifle Arafat".

Okay; show of hands...anyone give a rat's @ss what Europe thinks on anything? Anyone at all?
I didn't think so.

[FresnoDA]

NOW THIS IS POETIC JUSTICE!!

Israeli soldiers relieve themselves on the wall of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah Friday March 29 2002. Sporadic gunfire and tank shell fire was heard as Israeli forces entered Ramallah, surrounding Arafat's compound and occupying some buildings within. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

[Catspaw]

Great pix! Laugh of the day!!!

[FresnoDA]

Hello, AAA....I would like to report that my favorite Land Cruiser has been in a little accident......YES I AM THE REGISTERED OWNER, YOU INFIDEL!!!

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Gunfire near Arafat's office; PA head moved to underground room

By Aluf Benn, Amira Hass, and Amos Harel, Ha'aretz Correspondents and Agencies

Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat's office came under heavy IDF fire Friday afternoon, during an Israeli raid on the Palestinian leader's headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Troops captured several buildings inside Arafat's compound, killing four Palestinians and injuring at least 20 during the operation. One Israeli soldier - 22-year-old First Lieutenant Boaz Pomerantz from Kiryat Shmona - was killed during an exchange of fire with Palestinians in Ramallah.

IDF bulldozers, assisted by tanks, demolished three PA buildings north of Arafat's office.

Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed told Reuters on Friday that IDF tanks fired at Arafat's private office, putting his life in danger. "They are firing directly at Arafat's office. They are targeting him. His life is in danger. The situation is very, very dangerous," Abed Rabbo told Reuters by telephone. He said Arafat was moved to another office on a lower floor of the building as his security guards battled IDF troops.

An IDF spokesman said Israeli soldiers were responding to gunshots at them from inside the compound.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced Friday at a press conference in Jerusalem that his government had decided on a policy of isolating the PA leader, in an eight-hour cabinet session that began late Thursday night.

The government also decided that the army would mobilize over 10,000 reservists - an indication that the planned military operation in the territories, which began late overnight Thursday in Ramallah, is expected to be wide-ranging and drawn out.

"Arafat is an enemy, and at this stage he will be isolated," Sharon told a televized news conference Friday morning, listing Palestinian attacks that had precipitated the cabinet decision.

Sharon said later Friday that the operation would continue for weeks, if not longer. He also called on all Israelis to unite behind the government, saying he expected mounting international pressure over the military operation.

Israeli security sources said that the incursion into Ramallah was likely to be a long-term operation - not a short-term, symbolic one - and was aimed at destroying the terror infrastructure there.

The sources also said Thursday that Israel had abandoned its policy of restraint, which had been in force over the past two weeks, ever since the arrival of American envoy Anthony Zinni. "There is no longer such a thing as a unilateral cease-fire," the source said.

[TomGuy]

"Kabul Realty...what's the rent on a liitle cave? This is Mr. Araf[click]...
Osama, old friend, how are things? This is Yassar Ar[click]...
Hi there, Saddam, this is your buddy, Yass[click]...

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks for the pic! If Netanyahu were in charge, this
wouldn't have gone on this long!.........

[tictoc]

Reuters, this is an editorial statement:

"Palestinians have been waging an uprising against
occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip
since September 2000."

It does not surprise me. Reuters is the news agency that forbids its writers to call the perpetrators of Sept. 11 "terrorists" on the grounds that "one man's terrorist is another freedom fighter".

[MeekOneGOP]

ROFL!

[Woodkirk]

Send him to his room and take away his phone, radio, TV privileges, and no visitors and no one else with him. Isolate means isolate. If they do it right, it will drive him crazy.

[Nix 2]

Here's a show of hands.

[agrace]

LOL, did she really? Too funny.

[FresnoDA]

Be very careful when you bring a small caliber rifle to a gun fight!!!

A Palestinian gunmen fires at an Israeli sniper position during fighting in the West Bank city of Ramallah Friday March 29 2002. The man was later shot dead. Sporadic gunfire and tank shell fire can be heard as Israeli forces enter Ramallah. Israeli forces are surrounding Yasser Arafat's compound and occuping some buildings within.(AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

A Palestinian gunman is killed by a bullet fired from an Israeli sniper position during a gun battle in the West Bank city of Ramallah, March 29, 2002. Israel declared Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat an enemy and sent troops into his presidential compound in Ramallah. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - Fifth of Six picture series -

from an Israeli sniper position during a gun battle in the West Bank city of Ramallah is carried away, March 29, 2002. Israel declared Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat an enemy and sent troops into his presidential compound in Ramallah. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - Sixth of Six picture series -

[demlosers]

Im surprised it took this long for the Israelis to come out in force. You can only take sh!! for so long.

[uncbob]

The only way to solve this is to win it. If an enemy has sworn your death or his, you had better make sure it's his that comes first.

Well I would be willing to offer American citizenship to the entire state of Israel . Get out and leave the arabs to kill each other. But Israel will never do it so I am afraid that only a war to the death will solve it once and for all . Either Way