Israel rejects PA call to halt attacks ahead of elections
Imagine this; the Israeli government isn't taking seriously Yassir Arafat's call for a cessation of attacks against civilians in the run-up to the January 28th elections.
Israel rejected Saturday a statement by Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat urging an end to militant attacks on Israeli civilians ahead of the general elections on January 28, on the grounds that the attacks are detrimental to the Palestinian cause.
"What Israel needs is a cease-fire and a cessation of violence - full stop," said government official Dore Gold. "A halt to violence cannot be limited geographically or within a certain period of time."
In a Palestinian cabinet statement released Saturday, Arafat was quoted as saying he rejected "all acts of violence that target Palestinian and Israeli civilians."
"Attacks against Israeli civilians have severely harmed our cause in the international arena and in Israeli public opinion," the statement said.
"As the Israeli election date is getting closer, we appeal to all our people to practice self-restraint."
Yeah, whatever. Yassir Arafat calling for peace is like Enron without corruption and venality. Perhaps it's about time the IDF lobbed a few rounds into Arafat's sleeping quarters.
