Killing Arafat an option, says Israeli vice premier

ISRAEL'S vice prime minister said killing Yasser Arafat is an option for Israel, as Palestinians yesterday took to the streets across the West Bank and Gaza Strip promising to protect their leader.

Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert echoed threats by other Israeli officials who suggested last week's decision to "remove" Mr Arafat means he might be sent into exile, further isolated at his West Bank compound or dealt with more harshly.

But Mr Olmert, considered a likely future candidate for premier, is the closest official to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to say outright he might be killed.