Arafat tells kids to die on Int'l Children's Day

Aaron Lerner Date: 1 June 2003

Israel Television Channel Two News correspondent Ehud Yaari showed a tape
this evening of the meeting Yasser Arafat held in Ramallah with children to
mark International Children's Day.

Arafat devoted his remarks to encouraging the children to be
"shahid" (die for the cause), noting that one shahid who dies for the sake
of Jerusalem has the power equal to 40 of the enemy dying.

Yaari noted that Arafat said nothing in his remarks about peace or
reconciliation.

Many in Israel do not expect anything Arafat says or does to have an impact
on the standing of Arafat's junior partner, Abu Mazen, vis-a-vis the
Americans. In fact, paradoxically, the more active Arafat is in calling for
terror and violence - and even organizing terror attacks, the more Abu Mazen
will be seen by the Bush team as a victim of Arafat who must be supported by
Israeli concessions so that one day he can finally dethrone Arafat (and in
the meantime to be treated with compassion - expected only to make some
statements and photo-opportunities).

While the above scenario completely contradicts Mr. Bush's "vision", it
would appear that the Bush team has locked onto Abu Mazen come-what-may.

And Abu Mazen knows it, as does his boss - Yasser Arafat.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
pager 03-6106666 subscriber 4811
Website: http://www.imra.org.il