Arafat in Sharon’s sights

JERUSALEM – Prime minister Ariel Sharon vowed in an interview published yesterday to expel Yasser Arafat from the West Bank “at a convenient time,” saying he saw no difference between the Palestinian leader and top Hamas militants killed by Israel.

In an interview with the Israeli newspaper, Yediot Ahronot, Sharon said: “Arafat will be expelled from the territories.” Sharon gave interviews to all Israeli newspapers and two radio stations ahead of the Jewish New Year, which begins today.The full interviews will be published today.Sharon’s comments came just days after defence minister Shaul Mofaz and foreign minister Silvan Shalom made similar statements.Sharon noted that Israel had killed Hamas founder and spiritual leader Ahmed Yassin.Three weeks later, he added, Israel killed in a similar manner Yassin’s successor, Abdel Aziz Rantisi.Asked if there was any difference between Arafat and Yassin and Rantisi, whose Hamas group is responsible for dozens of suicide bombings inside Israel, Sharon said: “I see no difference.”- Nampa-APSharon gave interviews to all Israeli newspapers and two radio stations ahead of the Jewish New Year, which begins today.The full interviews will be published today.Sharon’s comments came just days after defence minister Shaul Mofaz and foreign minister Silvan Shalom made similar statements.Sharon noted that Israel had killed Hamas founder and spiritual leader Ahmed Yassin.Three weeks later, he added, Israel killed in a similar manner Yassin’s successor, Abdel Aziz Rantisi.Asked if there was any difference between Arafat and Yassin and Rantisi, whose Hamas group is responsible for dozens of suicide bombings inside Israel, Sharon said: “I see no difference.”- Nampa-AP