Israeli president does not rule out retaliation

The president of Israel has not ruled out retaliation against terrorists two days after the deadliest bomb explosion in Israel in five years.

President Moshe Katsav, who received an honorary degree on Sunday from the University of Hartford, said Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat must do more than denounce the attack that killed 21, including the suicide bomber.

He criticised Mr Arafat - calling the Palestinian leader "Mr Rejection" - for refusing to agree to ceasefires since the start of the most recent violence last September.

"I hope Yasser Arafat will express his determination to stop the violence," Mr Katsav said. "Otherwise we cannot stay in our chairs quiet."

He also accused the head of the Palestinian Authority of failing to renounce bloodshed that has occurred since the start of the peace process in 1993.

"During the last eight years, he never stopped the violence," Mr Katsav said.

At a meeting of Israel's Cabinet on Sunday, Defence Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said Israel would give Mr Arafat a chance to carry out a ceasefire he called on Saturday.

Mr Ben-Eliezer said there had been a reduction in attacks against Israelis since Mr Arafat's order took effect.

Mr Katsav, who holds the largely ceremonial post of president, was honoured for his support of archaeological excavations by university researchers in northern Israel.

The invitation-only audience of about 250 - including university faculty and staff and leaders of Hartford-area Jewish community - applauded Mr Katsav in his denunciation of terrorism.