Israeli officials are making preparations for the expulsion of senior figures of the Palestinian Authority, Israel Radio reported Wednesday.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's extended inner cabinet, meeting overnight, decided against deporting PA leader Yasser Arafat. The decision to refrain from deporting Arafat followed strong warnings by intelligence experts over the possible effects of such a move, the report added.
But Public Security Minister Uzi Landau said Wednesday that Israel should topple the Palestinian Authority in a single blow, and that Arafat and all of its leaders should be expelled.
The radio did not specify which PA leaders might be deported. It quoted unnamed senior Israeli officials in Jerusalem as saying that captured Fatah leader, Marwan Barghouti would not be expelled, but would be put on trial. It has yet to be decided if Barghouti is to be given a military or civilian trial, the radio said. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
