NEWS: Israel is "Closer Than Ever" To Removing Arafat, page 1

Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom stated Thursday that, "There is no room for Arafat among us, and the time will come when we will remove him... and that day is closer than ever.", hinting that Israel may be close to taking real action against the Palestinean leader. The Israeli Defence Minister said on Monday that plans to remove Arafat had been halted only to allow a peaceful withdrawal from the Gaza strip.

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JERUSALEM, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Israel threatened again on Thursday to "remove" Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

"There is no room for Arafat among us, and the time will come when we will remove him... and that day is closer than ever," Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said.

Israel and the United States have tried to sideline Arafat, a longtime symbol of Palestinian nationalism, accusing him of fomenting violence in the nearly four-year-old Palestinian uprising.

Arafat, 75, effectively confined to his battered West Bank headquarters by Israel for more than two years, denies the allegations.

Shalom's remarks to his rightist Likud Party, broadcast by Israeli radios, were the second threat made by Israel this week against the Palestinian leader.

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Arafat continues to deny allegations that he encourages or allows violence against Israel from his base of operations in the West Bank. The US continues to oppose violence against the leader and many believe that Israel will refrain from action as long as United States policies advocate a "peace plan".

[edit on 9-9-2004 by Nerdling]