Threats to kill Arafat 'Mafia-like thuggery'

THE chief Palestinian representative in Ireland has described Israeli threats to kill Palestinian President Yasser Arafat as Mafia-like thuggery.

The Delegate General of Palestine in Ireland, Ali Halimeh, was responding to a statement by Israeli deputy prime minister Ehud Olmert that liquidating Arafat could be an option open to the government.

"His expulsion is an option, his liquidation is another option," Mr Olmert had said after Sunday's Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.