Israel's Security Cabinet example essay topic

ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER Silvan Shalom on Monday sought to soften Sunday's statement by Vice Premier Ehud Olmert that "killing (Arafat) is... one of the options" under consideration to effect Israel's decision to "remove" the Palestinian leader. "It (killing Arafat) is not the official policy of the Israeli government", Shalom told reporters Monday. "It was never before, and we don't speak about any killing, we didn't speak about it before, and we don't speak about it today". But Olmert's statement gave new momentum to the Palestinian demand for speedy U.N. action on a resolution demanding that Israel refrain from taking any action against Arafat. The Security Council scheduled an open meeting Monday to discuss the situation in the Middle East and consider the Palestinian resolution. ISRAEL ACCUSES U.N. OF 'HYPOCRISY' In advance of the meeting, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Dan Gil lerman, accused the Security Council of "hypocrisy" for considering the Palestinian resolution after declining to convene to discuss Palestinian suicide bombings and shootings.

The Security Council began consultations on the resolution late Friday and then adjourned until Monday, despite Palestinian pressure for a quick vote. In the interim, the council issued a press statement expressing "the view that the removal of chairman Arafat would be unhelpful and should not be implemented". The statement, read by the council president, British Ambassador E myr Jones Parry, reflected the consensus among the 15 council members. Israel blames Arafat for blocking peace efforts and preventing a crackdown against militants who have carried out two suicide bombings in the last week. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday that Israel would incite rage among Arabs and Muslims everywhere by exiling or killing Arafat. "The Israelis know our position quite well", Powell told "Fox News Sunday" during a visit to Iraq. "The United States does not support either the elimination of him or the exile of Mr. Arafat".

TWIN ATTACKS Advertisement Last week, Israel's security Cabinet decided in principle to "remove" Arafat, but did not say what action would be taken, and when. The Israeli decision, which came in response to twin Hamas suicide bombings that killed 15 people last week, has revived Arafat's flagging popularity and reaffirmed his status as undisputed leader and national symbol. Thousands of Palestinians have taken to the streets in daily protests since last week. However, the initial spontaneity has worn off, and on Monday, school children were sent into the streets in several West Bank towns to demonstrate support for Arafat. At Arafat's headquarters in the town of Ramallah, about 200 scouts beating drums and waving Arafat posters gathered in the courtyard. The Palestinian leader briefly appeared at the sandbagged entrance, smiled and flashed victory signs.

Activists from Arafat's Fatah movement pitched six more tents in the compound, saying they would serve as human shields to protect Arafat from a possible Israeli raid. One tent was erected over the weekend. Also Monday, Fatah legislators met to come up with candidates for Cabinet posts. The outgoing prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, widely known as Abu Mazen, had come under constant criticism from Fatah, in part because the party felt it was not sufficiently represented in his Cabinet. "Fatah institutions will choose the members of the government, in consultation with President Arafat", said legislator Hani al-Hassan.

King discusses chances for peace Sept. 15 - King Abdullah of Jordan discusses the peace effort in the Middle East with "Today" host Katie Couric. ARAFAT'S WILL This appears to grant Arafat de facto control over the composition of the Cabinet. o The search for peace o A history of Jewish settlement o Israel's secret arsenal o Roots of Islamic anger o The Palestinian diaspora o Suicide attacks take toll In pressing for the appointment of a prime minister earlier this year, the United States and Israel hoped to sideline Arafat. However, Arafat has refused to relinquish any of his powers, and constant wrangling over authority contributed to Abbas' resignation earlier this month.

Acting Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, known as Abu Ala, has told confidants he has not intention of challenging Arafat. It remained unclear whether Fatah would present Qureia with a pool of candidates from which he would fill 16 Cabinet posts, or whether he would simply accept a list of 16 names. Shalom reiterated Monday that Qureia would be judged on his actions, but made it clear that he would have preferred Abbas to remain in power. Qureia "is not as good as Abu Mazen because he (Qureia) knows his power comes from Arafat", Shalom said.

CONCESSION ON BARRIER? In a sign that Israelis were bending on other U.S. demands, Israeli security officials said Sharon has decided not to build, for now, a section of security barrier that would have dipped deep into the West Bank to incorporate Jewish settlements in the center of territory that Palestinians want for a state. The previously intended route of the barrier enraged Palestinians, who saw it as a land grab, and was strongly opposed by the United States. The plan to erect a security barrier between Israel and the West Bank is popular in Israel as a way to block suicide bombers.

No Palestinian bombers have come from the Gaza Strip, which is fenced. Israel has completed about 90 miles of the West Bank barrier, whose fences, trenches, razor wire and concrete walls could eventually run more than 400 miles, depending on the ultimate route.