Sharon vows to expel Arafat
2004-09-14 07:44
Jerusalem - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon vowed in an interview published on Tuesday to expel Yasser Arafat from the West Bank "at a convenient time", saying he saw no difference between the Palestinian leader and top Hamas militants killed by Israel.
In an interview with the Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot, Sharon said: "Arafat will be expelled from the territories."
Sharon noted that Israel had killed Hamas founder and spiritual leader Ahmed Yassin.
Three weeks later, he added, Israel killed in a similar manner Yassin's successor, Abdel Aziz Rantisi.
"Regarding Arafat's expulsion we will act in a similar manner: we will do it at a convenient time," Sharon was quoted as saying.
Asked if there was any difference between Yassin and Rantisi, whose Hamas group is responsible for dozens of suicide bombings inside Israel, and Arafat, Sharon said: "I see no difference."
"Just as we acted against other murderers, so we will act with Arafat," Sharon added.
- AP