Israel bans UN fact-finding team

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s cabinet today banned a UN fact-finding mission into the battle at the Jenin refugee camp.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s cabinet today approved a US proposal aimed at ending the month-old Israeli siege at Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s compound in Ramallah - but banned a UN fact-finding mission into the battle at the Jenin refugee camp.

After a lengthy debate, the Cabinet declared that the make-up and the procedures set down for the Jenin inquiry were unacceptable.