Mideast press unites against Arafat plan

The Israeli Government plan to remove Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has united commentators on both sides of the Middle East's political divide.

In Israel itself, many commentators continue to condemn the Sharon government for a plan they consider misconceived at best. In the Arab world, the press sees it as exemplifying Israel's moral and political bankruptcy.

After the [Israeli] government's decision [to 'remove' Arafat], it should pray every morning that Arafat doesn't suddenly die of natural causes. Who's going to believe the government when it says it did not kill the 'obstacle' with some poison concealed in Arafat's hummus?

Commentary by Yoel Marcus in Ha'aretz - Israel

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The decision taken [to expel Arafat] is mistaken and miserable. It seems its publication was intended to serve two objectives: a message to the people in Zion that there is a government in Jerusalem and it has the solution to the problem, and an appeal to the international community: please intervene immediately and put pressure on us so that we do not have to carry out the threat!

Commentary by Shlomo Gazit in Ma'ariv - Israel

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Israel's threats to banish or, God forbid, assassinate Yasser Arafat, are dangerous and could create more animosity between the two sides

Al-Dustur - Jordan

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The weakness of the Israeli resolution to banish Yasser Arafat is clear. If it were able to harm the elected president, it would have done so when it besieged him in his HQ in Ramallah.

Al-Akhbar - Egypt

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A certain country's open pronouncement on its intention to kill another country's elected president, who is its partner in peace negotiations, shows its moral and political bankruptcy.

Al-Jazirah - Saudi Arabia

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When [Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud] Olmert openly said before the world that the assassination of Arafat is another option, the intention to implement this criminal act is clear.

Al-Bayan - UAE

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Israel's threat to kill Arafat is considered to be a new kind of terrorism which Israel is committing against the Palestinians and their leaders.

Ukaz - Saudi Arabia

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It is up to Sharon to understand that the language of threats will not bring about peace and security for Israel.

Al-Thawrah - Syria

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The Sharon government is facing one of two options, either it implements its resolution [on the banishment of Palestinian President Arafat] or it openly abandons the resolution.

Al-Hayat al-Jadidah - Palestinian

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Yasser Arafat's power is an example of democratic power, whose legitimacy is drawn from the daily support and actions of the people, whose strength lies in the human shields which confront and deter tanks.

Al-Nahar - Lebanon

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.