Israel plans post-election attack on Palestinian Authority

TEL AVIV — Israel is preparing for an attack on the Palestinian Authority.

Officials said the attack is envisioned after the Nov. 7 presidential elections in the United States. They forsee the Palestinians unilaterally declaring a state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip from Nov. 7 to Nov. 15 and launching attacks on Jewish settlements in the areas.

"The stage of restraint is over," Mofaz was quoted as saying last week to commanders.

Overnight Sunday, Israeli and Palestinian forces clashed around Bethlehem, Gaza, Jenin, Jericho, Nablus and Tulkarm.

PA officials said they are aware of the Israeli plans to attack and force Arafat to flee. PA secretary-general Tayeb Abdul Rahim warned that such an attack could lead to a war throughout the Middle East.

"We will defend our people and existence with all available means," Abdul Rahim said.

Over the past month, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has appealed to U.S. President Bill Clinton for a green light for an attack on the PA that would end the violence and resume the peace process. So far, Clinton has rejected Barak's request.

Clinton has invited Arafat and Barak to Washington after the presidential elections to discuss a proposal for an interim Palestinian state that would include about half of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources said Arafat has rejected the Clinton proposal.

Israeli Chief of Staff Shaul Mofaz has warned that the army will soon begin operations in the Palestinian territories if the violence continues. Military sources said Mofaz has received the green light for a military offensive.

As Barak envisions it, the attack would force Arafat to his knees or to flee into exile. The prime minister is said to believe that Arafat could be replaced by a leader more in tune with democracy and the need for Middle East peace.

Barak, with a coalition of only 30 out of 120 Knesset members, hopes to have a national emergency government by the time Israel launches an attack. The prime minister and Likud chairman Ariel Sharon are said to have agreed on the majority of points in a draft agreement.

The military now is assessing Palestinian capability and reviewing plans that would capture major security installations in the PA. Military sources said the army is operating under the assumption that the PA has anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons.

The sources said these weapons were obtained by either buying them from Israeli criminals or smuggling them from Egypt or Jordan.

PA officials said Arafat will not set any new date for statehood. PA International Cooperation Minister Nabil Shaath said Arafat will declare a state 24 hours before its establishment.

"We have not set a new date and we will declare a state just 24 hours before we implement this so as not to give the Israelis an opportunity to exploit this," Shaath said.