Yesterday, all over the Middle East, in cities in Jordan and Lebanon, Palestinians showed support for Arafat with demonstrations following Friday prayers.
Also showing solidarity, the Islamic Jihad and the Aksa Martyrs Brigade organizations defied Israel by siding with Arafat. Israel's decision to expel Arafat has been criticized by the member countries of the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN), the Arab League, and many other countries.
Following the developments closely, the Arab League warned yesterday that the consequences of sending Arafat into exile would be destructive. The league's spokesman Hisam Yusuf said, "The consequences will affect the entire region and beyond that." Yusuf called on the UN Security Council to convene to address the dangers of his expulsion.
Despite the reactions, Israel insists on expelling Arafat or removing him by other means. Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz said yesterday that not taking the decision before was a historical mistake. He set forth that removing Arafat by other means would serve the same purpose.
A public poll conducted by the Dahaf Institute in Israel recently indicated that 60 percent of the Israelis are in favor of killing Arafat or sending him into exile. 37 percent said that Arafat should be killed, while 27 percent wanted to see him expelled. The rest of the participants agreed that Arafat should be isolated from the West Bank.
Meanwhile, Arafat's Al-Feth organization called on Palestinians to form human shields in front of Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah. The Aksa Martyrs Brigade warned that if Arafat is sent into exile, all of Israel would be targeted. "If something happens to Arafat, we will blow up all life," they stated.
