Fearing Israel might exploit Haifa bombing to "remove" Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, thirty Israeli and foreign pacifists formed a human shield abound the Ramallah headquarters of the veteran Palestinian leader.
| I still think they should helizap him... |
"We came here because we realized the suicide bombing in Haifa with its many casualties would provide an ideal pretext for (Israeli Prime Minister) Ariel Sharon to do what he wants to do for a long time — to kill Arafat," former Knesset member Uri Avnery, who arrived with seven members of the Israeli pacifist group Gush Shalom (Peace Bloc), told Agence France Press (AFP) Sunday, October 5. "We rushed here from Gush Shalom to provide a human shield and perhaps be able to prevent the Israeli army from executing its plans. We will stay here as long as we feel there is a danger," he added, asserting that "killing Arafat would be a disaster for Israel, the entire region and the world." Also, some 20 members of the pacifist group International Solidarity Movement flocked to Arafat’s headquarters, saying they intended to stay till the day after the Jewish religious feast of Yom Kippur, AFP added.
| Yep. Those are the usual suspects, saying the usual ridiculous things... |
"It is comforting to see Israeli friends here rather than Israeli tanks," said Nabil Abu Rudeina, Arafat's main adviser.
| "I really expected they'd blow the old goat away..." |
"Sharon must understand that there is only one political situation, sitting down and negotiating peace, without the separation wall, without the assassinations, and without the incursions," he continued. "We are committed to the road map and ready to negotiate," maintained the Palestinian official.
| "We'll keep killing as many people as we can, of course..." |
|