Israel Has No Intention to Harm or Expel Arafat: Minister

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, September 22, 2002

Israel Has No Intention to Harm or Expel Arafat: Minister

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer on Saturday told in Jerusalem Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Chairman Yasser Arafat's deputy Mahmoud Abas that Israel has no intention of harming or expelling the Palestinian leader, Israel Radio reported.

Ben Eliezer was quoted as saying the aim of Israel's siege on Arafat's headquarters in the West Bank town of Ramallah is to force the surrender of 19 Palestinian military suspects hiding out there.

Another 180 people believed to be in the headquarters can leave without fear of arrest, Ben Eliezer added.

Israeli soldiers are reportedly urging civilians in buildings near Arafat's headquarters to evacuate.

The Israeli army launched offensives against the Arafat's compound and made an incursion into the Gaza Strip on Thursday, in retaliation for a suicide bombing attack in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv, which killed six people and injured some 60 others.

By Saturday morning, the Israeli forces have demolished most of the buildings that make up the block-sized headquarters of Arafat in Ramallah, leaving just the largest building intact.

However, Arafat remained defiant and said he would not capitulate. In a statement issued by the official Palestinian news agency WAFA on Saturday, Arafat said "we are ready for peace but not for capitulation, and we will not give up Jerusalem or a grain of our soil which are guaranteed to us by the international law."

Questions?Comments? Click here

Annan Meets with Arab Foreign Ministers on Iraq, Middle East

China Expresses Concern, Regret over Middle East Tension

UN Envoy Calls for Comprehensive Solution to Middle East Crisis

Know Who to Love, Who to Hate ( 2 Messages)

China to Build up Oil Stockpile ( 2 Messages)

China Since 1990: Facts and Figures Tell of Rising Prosperity ( 26 Messages)

Dozens Could Have Died in Food Poisoning in Nanjing ( 19 Messages)

China Hopes to See Iraqi Issue Resolved Within UN Framework ( 43 Messages)