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Human Shield Update: Foreign Pacifists Shield Arafat Against Israeli Reprisal
IslamOnline.net ^ | 10-5-03

Posted on 10/05/2003 7:03:03 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer

RAMALLAH, West Bank, October 5 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Fearing Israel might exploit Haifa bombing to "remove" Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, thirty Israeli and foreign pacifists formed a human shield abound the Ramallah headquarters of the veteran Palestinian leader.

"We came here because we realized the suicide bombing in Haifa with its many casualties would provide an ideal pretext for (Israeli Prime Minister) Ariel Sharon to do what he wants to do for a long time -- to kill Arafat," former Knesset member Uri Avnery, who arrived with seven members of the Israeli pacifist group Gush Shalom (Peace Bloc), told Agence France Press (AFP) Sunday, October 5.

"We rushed here from Gush Shalom to provide a human shield and perhaps be able to prevent the Israeli army from executing its plans.

"We will stay here as long as we feel there is a danger," he added, asserting that "killing Arafat would be a disaster for Israel, the entire region and the world."

Also, some 20 members of the pacifist group International Solidarity Movement flocked to Arafat’s headquarters, saying they intended to stay till the day after the Jewish religious feast of Yom Kippur, AFP added.

"It is comforting to see Israeli friends here rather than Israeli tanks," said Nabil Abu Rudeina, Arafat's main adviser.

"Sharon must understand that there is only one political situation, sitting down and negotiating peace, without the separation wall, without the assassinations, and without the incursions," he continued.

"We are committed to the roadmap and ready to negotiate," maintained the Palestinian official.

Haifa blast, which came after Israeli occupation forces gunned down two Palestinians, including a child, in Tulkarem Saturday, October 4, left 20 people dead including 29-year-old Palestinian female lawyer Hanadi Jaradat who carried the attack.

No Immediate Expulsion

Israel will not immediately expel Arafat from his West Bank headquarters but the "clock is ticking" towards the Palestinian leader's removal, a senior Israeli official said Sunday.

"When the time comes he will be expelled. The clock is already ticking," he told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"The Americans and the Europeans do not understand yet that Yasser Arafat is an arch-terrorist and represents the principle obstacle to all negotiations ... but this will happen one day," he said.

Israeli Health Minister Dany Naveh said in the immediate aftermath of Saturday's attack that Israel should follow through with its removal decision.

But Education Minister Limor Livnat said Sunday that the Israelis should impose a "watertight closure" around Arafat's offices, where he has been confined for some 22 months.

The Israeli security cabinet formally approved Arafat's "removal" on September 11, with one minister even suggesting he could be assassinated, after declaring the veteran Palestinian leader an absolute obstacle to peace.

That decision prompted a widespread show of support for Arafat among Palestinians and widespread international condemnation.

The United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning the decision, but the U.N. General Assembly later overwhelmingly passed a non-binding resolution calling on Israel not to expel Arafat.

Arafat Urges Ceasefire

"President Arafat has renewed his appeal for a ceasefire on condition that Israel also accepts the ceasefire and that the Quartet oversees its implementation," Palestinian cabinet minister Yasser Abed Rabbo told reporters after a meeting of the PLO executive committee, chaired by Arafat.

Calling for a similar truce last month, Arafat's offer was swiftly dismissed as a "honey-trap" by Israeli officials.

The PLO condemned the attack, but also attacked the Israeli government which last week decided to push ahead with the next stage of a separation wall that at times cuts deep into Palestinian land in the West Bank.

In a further provocation, the Israeli housing ministry announced tenders to build as many as 600 housing units in Jewish settlements in the West Bank.


TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; Canada; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Germany; Israel; Japan; Mexico; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; Russia; United Kingdom; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: arafat; fodder; human; shield

"Killing Arafat would be a disaster for Israel, the entire region and the world," Avnery said


1 posted on 10/05/2003 7:03:03 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
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2 posted on 10/05/2003 7:05:02 AM PDT by Support Free Republic (Your support keeps Free Republic going strong!)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
"Sharon must understand that there is only one political situation, sitting down and negotiating peace, without the separation wall, without the assassinations, and without the incursions," he continued.

"But we reserve the right to continue killing Jews whenever we please."

Uri Avnery visits Arafat for the hot monkey sex.

3 posted on 10/05/2003 7:08:12 AM PDT by Alouette (Neocon Zionist Media Operative)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Nothing a bulldozer can't handle. Turn Arafat into a sailarafat!
4 posted on 10/05/2003 7:11:02 AM PDT by knighthawk (And for the name of peace, we will prevail)
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To: knighthawk
Turn Arafat into a sailarafat!

Flat, dried-out road kill........sail rabbit.....from what movie?

Bless the Beasts and the Children?

5 posted on 10/05/2003 7:16:41 AM PDT by CROSSHIGHWAYMAN
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To: knighthawk
LOL!
I was thinking along those lines, myself-

Human Shields = Bulldozer Bait.

Glad to see that I'm not the only warped one. :)
6 posted on 10/05/2003 7:17:51 AM PDT by SoKatt
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Why don't some "human shields" hang out on buses and restaurants in Israel?

If you've ever seen the movie, DEVIL'S ADVOCATE, you will know.

It's obvious that evil seeks out the aid of weak minds.

7 posted on 10/05/2003 7:18:59 AM PDT by CROSSHIGHWAYMAN
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
"We came here because we realized the suicide bombing in Haifa with its many casualties would provide an ideal pretext for (Israeli Prime Minister) Ariel Sharon to do what he wants to do for a long time -- to kill Arafat,"

Well, seeing as how Arafat has been perpetrating terror for over 30 years, maybe its time.

Advice to Sharon (not that he needs it): Strike team.

(is there such a thing as a mini MOAB...I guess a 500 pounder. That should do the trick.)

8 posted on 10/05/2003 7:19:03 AM PDT by mattdono
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To: SoKatt
"If you aint't a bulldoza', then you bulldoza' bait."
9 posted on 10/05/2003 7:19:55 AM PDT by mattdono
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Hey, so Israel bombs Syria, can't wait to see the traffic jam back to Syria from Iraq.
10 posted on 10/05/2003 7:22:14 AM PDT by Just mythoughts
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Where's the pic of the dead chick under the buldozer when you need it?
11 posted on 10/05/2003 7:23:33 AM PDT by MonroeDNA (Please become a monthly donor!!! Just $3 a month--you won't miss it, and will feel proud!)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
but the U.N. General Assembly later overwhelmingly passed a non-binding resolution calling on Israel not to expel Arafat

It says nothing about killing his sorry a$$.

12 posted on 10/05/2003 7:27:18 AM PDT by mattdono
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To: CROSSHIGHWAYMAN
Why don't some "human shields" hang out on buses and restaurants in Israel?

Excellent point.

13 posted on 10/05/2003 7:27:59 AM PDT by tbpiper
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To: MonroeDNA
Picture taken at 4:47PM on 16 March 2003, Rafah, Occupied Gaza. Rachel Corrie lies on the ground fatally injured by the Israeli bulldozer driver. Rachel's fellow activists have dug her a little out of the sand and are trying to keep her neck straight due to spinal injury. Photo by Joseph Smith. (ISM Handout)

14 posted on 10/05/2003 7:29:08 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer (The democRATS are near the tipping point.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
International Solidarity Movement = cadre of communist fellow travelers
15 posted on 10/05/2003 7:40:55 AM PDT by AF68
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Sounds like a perfect opportunity for a 2-fer.

maybe a 3-fer or even a 4-fer

16 posted on 10/05/2003 7:52:23 AM PDT by muir_redwoods
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
good - may as many of the useful idiots as possible flock to Arafat's side, that the eventual Israeli measures may remove them from my planet.
17 posted on 10/05/2003 11:12:11 AM PDT by King Prout (...he took a face from the ancient gallery, then he... walked on down the hall....)
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