Jerusalem, Sept 12: The Israeli government has decided in principle to expel Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat from the West Bank. The decision to expel Mr Arafat was announced after an Israeli security cabinet meeting met to consider a response to suicide bombings that killed 15 people in Israel on Tuesday. The Palestinians, meanwhile, have reacted angrily to the news. In a show of support, huge crowds gathered at the compound of his battered headquarters in the West Bank town of Ramallah, and there were similar scenes in the Gaza Strip where thousands took to the streets.
The Palestinian Prime Minister-designate, Ahmed Qurei, reacted to the news by announcing he was suspending his bid to form a new government, saying that Israel's decision threatened the stability of the entire region.
The expulsion proposal has also attracted international condemnation, with the US State Department saying that such a move would be unhelpful and would afford Mr Arafat a wider world stage.
The European Union has also expressed its reservation against the move.

Bureau Report