Posted on 12/15/2002 5:47:29 AM PST by Israel Insider
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced at this morning's cabinet meeting that Israel would not allow Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat to attend Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon said the army would not withdraw from the Palestinian city before the holiday, contradicting President Moshe Katsav's promise to the Pope in their meeting last week.
Sharon made the decision to ban Arafat from Bethlehem for security reasons, media sources reported. Last year Israel also prevented Arafat, a Muslim, from traveling to Bethlehem for Christmas celebrations. Bethlehem, the traditional site of the birth of Jesus, is a Palestinian town that is roughly half-Christian and half-Muslim.
Sharon told the cabinet that if Arafat did find a way to get to Bethlehem, he would have no hesitation to order security forces into the Mukata government compound in Ramallah to apprehend Palestinians suspected of involvement in terror who have taken up refuge inside, ynet reported.
Already last week, Sharon's adviser Raanan Gissin said Arafat "going to stay put. We're not going to let Arafat go to Bethlehem."
Security sources said they continued to receive warnings about possible terror attacks from the Bethlehem region and removing the troops would make Israel more vulnerable....
Katsav promised the army would withdraw from Bethlehem if there are no warnings of terrorist operations.
It helps to have the full promise reported.
Then maybe they should let Pali terrorist Yasser go to Bethlehem. The terrorists probably won't blow up their own leader...after all, his owner Saddam might get mad and stop funding Pali homocide bombers, and THEN were would the Palis get an income?
That's what I'd like to know!
And probably most of the Entire Non - IslamaNazi World is wondering the same Thing.
Hmmm...maybe he did die ten years ago, and the thing flapping it's rubbery lips on TV is an automiton: a kinda "Stepford Yasser", built by Binny to murder Israelis, lie to the world public and deny there is ANY al Qaeda in the territory he controls.
I thought that every day is a "day of rage."
Why can't Israelis think beyond their nose?
They have been telling us over and over, he is irrelevant.
Have they thought about crucifying him?
Maybe they could send in some US provided Cobra gunships and knock out his toilets and lights, so he can have another candlelight broadcast to the world, via CNN!
Israel is a liability for us, and they don't know how to sit on the sidelines.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.