The Hindu : International : Arafat tells Palestinians to `terrorise' enemy

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Sunday, May 16, 2004

International

International

Arafat tells Palestinians to `terrorise' enemy

RAMALLAH (WEST BANK), MAY 15. The Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, on Saturday called on his people to ``terrorise your enemy'' as he bitterly marked the 56-year anniversary of Israel's establishment, but also signalled that he is ready for peace.

In a speech broadcast live on Palestinian television, Mr. Arafat repeatedly called on his people to be steadfast in their struggle against Israeli occupation. He ended the speech with a quote from the Koran.

``Find what strength you have to terrorise your enemy and the enemy of God,'' he said. ``And if they want peace, then let's have peace.''

Mr. Arafat, whom Israel accuses of supporting militant groups, did not appear to be calling for new attacks on Israel. The passage in the Koran refers to the early Muslims' wars against non-Muslims and is frequently invoked by Islamic leaders today to encourage strength in times of conflict.

Mr. Arafat spoke as Palestinians marked what they refer to as the ``catastrophe'' of Israel's independence on May 15, 1948.

Air attacks in Gaza

Meanwhile, Israeli helicopter gunships rocketed three Islamic Jihad targets in the Gaza Strip early on Saturday, while Palestinians in the Rafah refugee camp rushed back to see what was left of dozens of homes that Israel demolished during bitter fighting.

The destruction came as the Palestinians bitterly marked the 56th anniversary of Israel's founding.

The Israeli helicopters fired a total of nine missiles at targets in Gaza City and the southern town of Rafah, lightly wounding four bystanders. The missiles struck two deserted buildings in Gaza City that housed offices associated with Islamic Jihad, the militant group said. In Rafah, a missile hit the home of an Islamic Jihad leader who was not home, residents said. The army said both offices in Gaza City were used by the Islamic Jihad to recruit terrorists. The building in Rafah had served as a bomb-making facility and centre for planning attacks on Israel, it said.

Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for a pair of deadly attacks on Israeli armoured vehicles in Gaza this week. The attacks sparked one of the bloodiest weeks of violence in Gaza. In all, 13 Israeli soldiers and 31 Palestinians have died, and more than 300 Palestinians have been wounded, since Tuesday. Early on Saturday, the army pulled out of the Rafah refugee camp.

The United Nations agency that delivers aid to Palestinians described a scene of widespread destruction. — AP

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