Israeli cabinet votes to expel Arafat

Israel took a giant step towards expelling Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, but then delayed carrying out its decision, in the wake of stiff opposition from the United States.

Reacting to two suicide bombings by Palestinian militants that killed 15 Israelis, Israel’s security Cabinet yesterday declared Arafat “a complete obstacle” to peace, blaming him for the violence, and adding: “Israel will work to remove this obstacle in the manner, at the time, and in the ways that will be decided on separately.”