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How to Hit Back Without Hurting U.S.

(Ha'aretz) - Aluf Benn The Tel Aviv terror attack left a vexing dilemma for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his colleagues in the security-political cabinet. How might they respond forcibly at a time when the U.S. is mobilizing forces for an offensive in Iraq and when an Israeli delegation is in Washington asking for special security and economic assistance? Once it was established that operatives from Tanzim forces connected to Yasser Arafat took responsibility for the terror strike, it became clear that Israel's response would be directed against the PA chairman. Security officials proposed thwarting the initiative taken by the British on behalf of a PA reform conference in London, warning of a scenario whereby Fatah's supreme council might meet, ratify a Palestinian constitution, appoint a prime minister, bask in praise about the PA's willingness to endorse reform, and leave Israel under pressure to make concessions. Foreign Minister Netanyahu and Treasury Minister Shalom proposed re-freezing tax revenues which Israel collects for the Palestinians. Sharon opposed the proposal, but announced that Israel "reserves the right" to suspend the transfer of the tax revenues should it turn out that the money is used to support terror. Ministers accepted the Shin Bet security service's proposal to close three colleges in the territories that are labeled breeding grounds for suicide terrorists - Bir Zeit near Ramallah, An Najah in Nablus, and Islamic College in Hebron.
2003-01-06 00:00:00
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