Israel set to call time on Arafat’s reign

YASSER ARAFAT must “disappear from the stage of history,” Israel’s defence minister said yesterday, adding that the Palestinian leader’s fate — most likely expulsion — may be decided before the end of the year.

Shaul Mofaz issued the warning as Mr Arafat and his Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas remained locked in a bitter power struggle.

Mr Abbas, backed by the United States and Israel, is increasingly unpopular with Palestinians and could be ousted, possibly in a parliament vote next week.

Mr Mofaz also said Mr Arafat was an obstacle to peace. "Because this is the situation and because Arafat never wanted to reach an agreement with us, I think that he has to disappear from the stage of history, and not be included in the ranks of the Palestinian leadership," said Mr Mofaz.

Mr Mofaz favours expelling Mr Arafat, but that the timing has to be right. "I believe that Israel made a historic mistake by not exiling him two years ago," he said.

"With regard to the future, I think we will be compelled to deal with this issue within a short period of time, very possibly even this year," he said.

It was not clear whether he referred to the Western calendar or the Jewish year, which ends on September 26.

Mr Mofaz said the timing would have to be chosen carefully so as not to undermine Mr Abbas, who Israel believes is serious about reaching a peace deal.

Palestinian Cabinet Minister Ghassan Khatib said Mr Mofaz's threat only raised tensions, "but is consistent with the spirit of escalation of the Israeli leadership."

The Israeli Cabinet has repeatedly considered expelling Mr Arafat, but Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has blocked such a move, in part because of opposition by the United States and because his security advisers have cautioned against it.

Leaders of the Palestinians ruling Fatah movement met yesterday to discuss the Arafat/Abbas impasse but failed to find a compromise.

Mediators kept shuttling between the two leaders who are no longer on speaking terms.

Officials close to Abbas denied reports that he has threatened to resign and leave the Palestinian areas.

Palestinian security chief Mohammed Dahlan, who is close to Abbas, suggested the tensions defied a permanent solution. He said there might be a temporary compromise, "until the next crisis, in a week, a month, three months, who knows?"

Mr Mofaz also said that there will be no letup in the campaign to destroy Hamas, the militant Islamic group responsible for many attacks on Israel. "Hamas is in distress because of our activity, but we will not stop the pressure until the terror infrastructure is dismantled either by the Palestinian Authority or by us," he said.

Asked about civilian casualties several dozen have been hurt in the past two weeks Mr Mofaz said he has called off some strikes amid concerns that bystanders could be harmed.