Bulldozers destroy Arafat's cars: (Who needs a bunch of armored Mercedes anyway!!)

UPI ^ | April 27, 2002 | Saud Abu Ramadan

[FresnoDA]

Bulldozers destroy Arafat's cars

By Saud Abu Ramadan
From the International Desk
Published 4/27/2002 4:11 PM

GAZA, April 27 (UPI) -- Israeli army bulldozers Saturday destroyed cars that belong to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's convoy, official Palestinian sources at Arafat's office in Ramallah reported.

The sources said the bulldozers powered into Arafat's compound and destroyed seven presidential armored Mercedes.

Witnesses in Arafat's office said the bulldozers also flattened the presidential guards' vans and Cherokee jeeps.

Meanwhile, Palestinian National Authority Minister of Information Yasser Abed Rabbo lashed out at the military for directing loudspeakers at Arafat's main office, describing the measure as "provocative and criminal Israeli army action."

He said such measures "proves that Israeli Prime

Minister Ariel Sharon had failed to get rid of President Arafat," and was unable break "his determination to continue his struggle for the Palestinian independent state."

Palestinian witnesses said the Israeli army sent more troop reinforcements and armored vehicles into the Ramallah, renewing Palestinian fears the Israeli army plans to reoccupy the West Bank town.

Residents said they are also afraid the army is

planning to raid Arafat's headquarters, arrest the militants in his office and bring Arafat to Gaza.

[wcbtinman]

Hate to be picky, but the other pics are not of Benzs either. One's a Volvo and I think the white one that is about 18 inches high is some kind of Toyota also.

If pics of an armored Benz crushed by a bulldozer are available, I really would like to see them.

[Nam Vet]

No, but you are obviously representing B(*ll)S(h*t).net.

Nam Vet

[voa-davidk]

How beauuuuuuuuuutifull! Those cars are great archivical items for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.Here is a proposed display title : ' How to artfully fight a war on terrorism - Isrealis, using wonderful tool called 'Tanks ' , create beauuuuutiful art sculpture out of notorious terrorist Yasser Arafat's presidential convoy cars . Included in sculpture : Yasser's personal presidential armored Mercedes limosine. Title of the sculpture itself - ' Ruins of Yasser Arafat of the anti - semite terrorist , 'Where The Rubber Meets The Road , Ye ' Shall Reap What Ye' sow ' Godbless Isreal , voa-davidk

[Scott from the Left Coast]

So I guess this means that Yassir's not going to be cruising for babes this Saturday night? Hear he likes 'em young and wearing a big belt.

[bybybill]

If this is true, its just plain childlish and does nothing to help Israel find peace for itself

[capitan_refugio]

$199.95??????

I remember when it was, "I'll paint your car, any car, for $29.95 (no two tones, no uppers)."

[LarryLied]

Right. Every military action should have a reason which brings a force closer to an objective. Perhaps there is a reason here but it is not spelled out in this article.

[skr]

What I think is stupid is using the word, or any form thereof, president in connection to Arafat. How often do they have elections and who in the world runs against him?

Back to the subject at hand. Personally I have no problem with the Israelis depriving a monster and his minions of their armored vehicles. They deserve the same amount of protection that their victims have.

[BlackVeil]

"its just plain childlish ... " They urinated all over the walls, as well. They think that they are impressive. They do not go in, face to face with Arafat.

[RichInOC]

Inflation. [grin]

I don't know if I remember back to 29.95, but they used to advertise on LA TV stations all the time and it did use to be a lot cheaper.

[Diogenesis]

[ozzymandus]

Those cars and the bulldozers that crushed them were probably all paid for with US taxpayer dollars. Uncle Sucker picks up the tab again.

[lafroste]

You're referring to...

CAL WORTHINGTON and his dog Spot! If you want a better deal go see Cal,
If you want a better deal go see Cal!
Buy a new car for your wife
She will love you all her life
Go see Cal, Go see Cal, Go see Cal!

[Diogenesis]

Probably not. Suha and Arafat took the US money
for themselves. The cars were probably bought
with counterfeit money or EU contributions to terrorism.

[Duvdevan]

The reason is simple:- we have to get into that building and not by the front door, lets go via the car park, sounds good, kadema. I would imagine that a parked car or two is a mute point when you are under fire. An IDF Soldier {Hermesh Oren}

[anapikoros]

In 1993 the Palestinians received their autonomous areas where they could set up their chop shops and deal in stolen Israeli vehicles. Notice the steepening curve of the purple bars which mostly equates to vehicle ending up in Pali territory as against the yellow which has remained constant.

I would imagine that the purple has only increased since 1997 as the last figure I saw for 2000 the Palis were stealing over 40,000 cars per year from Israel.

[Bobby777]

LOL ...

[Kozak]

"The sources said the bulldozers powered into Arafat's compound and destroyed seven presidential armored Mercedes

Think the Israelis got any extra kick from the fact the cars are German made, Der Fuhrer's favorite?

[JLS]

"If this is true, its just plain childlish and does nothing to help Israel find peace for itself."

You seemed to have missed the memo. Israel is not looking for peace for itself. Israel is trying to stop an enemy from attacking it. Part of the was you do that is to take out command and control assets. Part of taking out command and control is isolating them. Arafat is certainly less mobile for a while.

Plus in this case, Arafat is not was secure as he was when he had armored vehicles to move around in. Israel is probably not going to take out Arafat, but why wouldn't they do things to make it easier for any peaceful Palestinians to take him out. I think they did.

Finally the Israel's imposed an immediate cost on Arafat for the attacks today. I suspect Israel will continue to impose costs on Arafat directly any time their is an attack from now on.