As the PA (Palestinian Authority) observes the tenth anniversary of the death of PLO founder Yasser Arafat YS”VZ, which Ramallah relates to as “Israel’s assassination of the PA leader”, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman warns PA leader Abu Mazen is more dangerous than Arafat was.

In his Ramallah address marking the day, Abu Mazen made his position clear, stating the PA and the Muslim world will not accept Israel’s claim that Jerusalem belongs to Israel and the Jewish People. He highlighted the need to remove settlers from areas of Yehuda and Shomron and to end the “Israeli occupation of areas of Yerushalayim”. He mentioned that Israel and the settlers must be removed from Muslim holy sites, “which they now defile”. The PA is demanding a total and unconditional Israeli withdrawal to the pre-1967 boundaries to permit the eastern capital to serve as the capital of the State of Palestine.

Lieberman explains that after hearing the PA leader’s address, it is clear that both he and his predecessor hate Jews and believe terror is a viable option towards achieving its goals. However points out the senior minister, Abu Mazen is more dangerous for he knows how to hide his true face better than Arafat.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)