Killing Arafat definitely an option, says Israeli politician

The Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | 09/15/03 | David Blair

[Pokey78]

Israel may choose to kill Yasser Arafat in its onslaught on "heads of terror", Ehud Olmert, the deputy prime minister, said yesterday. He described Mr Arafat's assassination as a possible way of implementing the security cabinet's decision last Thursday to "remove" the Palestinian leader.

	Ehud Olmert: 'Arafat is one of the heads of terror'

"Killing him is definitely one of the options. We are trying to eliminate all the heads of terror and Arafat is one of the heads of terror," he said. "In my eyes, from a moral point of view, this is no different from killing others who were involved in acts of terror. It's only a practical question."

America has adamantly opposed either assassinating or deporting Mr Arafat. Colin Powell, the US secretary of state, made a weekend telephone call to Silvan Shalom, the Israeli foreign minister, to repeat this message.

Later Mr Powell told Fox News: "The United States does not support either the elimination of him or the exile of Mr Arafat ⠮ . . the Israelis know our position quite well. The consequences would not be good ones. I think you can anticipate that there would be rage throughout the Arab world, the Muslim world and in many other parts of the world."

	Palestinians raise their rifles in front of a picture of Yasser Arafat

Mr Olmert told Israeli radio that other options included imposing total isolation on the Palestinian leader's besieged compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah. "He would be like a prisoner in a dungeon. He'd receive his food ration twice per day but would not be able to meet with anyone," he said.

In practice, the ambiguous decision to "remove" Mr Arafat appears to have resolved nothing, with all options still under consideration. Most Israeli cabinet ministers are believed to favour deporting him, but Lt-Gen Shaul Mofaz, the defence minister, has called publicly for his assassination. Avi Dichter, head of the Shin Bet internal security service, is reported to agree with the general.

The Israeli daily Ma'ariv said Shin Bet believes that the inevitable Palestinian unrest caused by Mr Arafat's death would be short-lived and containable. By contrast, the Shin Bet assessment is that sending him into exile would allow him to rally support from a new platform beyond Israel's reach.

Mr Arafat's aides have appealed to world opinion. Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian chief negotiator, said Israel's public debate on the merits of assassination was the "thinking and action of the Mafia, not a government".

[PhiKapMom]

That has my vote -- exiling Arafat will continue to cause real problems -- killing him will be a momentary outcry which will die away IMO.

[earonthief]

It's not assassination when you kill a rabid dog,it's public service.

[billorites]

Gotta think Kosher.

[Prince Caspian]

All this US protesting about exile or assassination could be just so much posturing to minimize direct relatiation against US interests in the event the IDF acts.

If Arafat gets hit, US tears will be of the crocodile variety.

[dennisw]

Sun Sep 14,12:04 PM ET

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An elderly Palestinian woman flashes the victory sign in front of a poster of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat (news - web sites), in his compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah.(AFP/Jamal Aruri)

[joesnuffy]

Instead of Colon Bowell giving away a $500 million tax payers dollars to Yassir for his Swiss bank account
We simply should be offering a few hundred thousand dollars bounty on these thugs
worked in Iraq

[Uncle Miltie]

They should at least be creative about it. Botulinum ought to be about right; blame the cook!

[earonthief]

Not sure about your Kosher ref. Is it due to the political nature of the target? The potential response of the Arabs? Or my demeaning dogs in context with Arafat?

[kcar]

All terrorist leaders must know that they will die, not just be exiled where they can live the good life with the fortunes they've absconded with. Kill the jerk. Another one will pop up but if he's not reasonable kill him too.

[tjg]

In my 30 plus years of watching the news, I have to say the casual discussion of killing Arafat is one of the stranger things I've seen.

I actually think the idea has merit, but ignoring that, does anybody else think it bizarre that all these high government officals are talking about wacking Arafat the way they would discuss say, trade sanctions, or a public health problem?

There's a sense of the surreal surrounding the whole discussion.

[AdamSelene235]

Botulinum ought to be about right; blame the cook!

Trichinosis would make better press.

[wildbill]

I've seen some stupid political moves in my day, but announcing that you "may" assaaainate a political opponent is the worst I;ve ever seen.

You don't announce it--you just do it. And then deny it.

The Israelis have all the opprobrium as if they'd done it without any of the benefits. DUMB!

[Uncle Miltie]

"Trichinosis would make better press."

We have a winner!

[rogator]

"Mr Olmert told Israeli radio that other options included imposing total isolation on the Palestinian leader's besieged compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah."

Cut the power and play loud rap music until he flips out.

[stockpixx]

Why dont they just do it.. instead of just talking about it.. This is crazy.. Why annouce it and then let all talking heads talk about it... I am confused
JUST DO IT

[TXnMA]

Kill him -- and MOAB the funeral. Instant wholesale threat reduction...

[TXnMA]

Trichinosis would make better press.

LOL!!! Priceless!!!!

BTW, I'm in the process of re-reading The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress...

[The Westerner]

The way you describe the tube boobs, yes, it does seem disconnected emotionally. We should be passionate about seeing justice done, not dispassionate. Off with his head! And if the Kosherites have a problem with that, have a Rabbi in to bless the kill.