Israeli intelligence in conflict over Arafat's role in attacks

JERUSALEM — Israeli security agencies are again disputing the intentions of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.

The agencies are providing contradictory assessments to the Cabinet of Prime Minister Ehud Barak, which is itself divided over a policy of escalating military responses to PA attacks.

Once again, the dispute over Arafat pits Israeli military intelligence against the General Security Services, the domestic intelligence arm. Military intelligence has told the Cabinet that Arafat remains in full control of the PA areas and is allowing attacks on Israel.

But the GSS, which has developed a seven-year-old security cooperation with the PA, insists that Arafat is no longer in control. Instead, GSS director Avi Dichter told the Cabinet on late Monday that Arafat's authority is being eroded in a power struggle with younger Palestinian leaders.

Still, many Cabinet ministers assert that the dispute does not relieve Arafat's responsibility for the bombing of Palestinian attacks against Israel.

"Either Yasser Arafat is not in control or he is playing with us," Deputy Prime Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said.

Despite their dispute, both military intelligence and the GSS agree that Arafat must be held accountable for the Palestinian violence. They said he is the only address in any Israeli demand for an end to violence.

The Cabinet, however, remains divided over how far to push Arafat. The inner Cabinet, which decided to launch air attacks on the Gaza Strip, was divided in its decision.

The inner Cabinet voted 4-1 to launch attacks on Arafat installations. Barak, Ben-Eliezer, Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami and Finance Minister Avraham Shohat formed the majority. Regional Cooperation Minister Shimon Peres and Transportation Minister Amnon Shahak, a former chief of staff, abstained. Justice Minister Yossi Beilin voted against the operation.

"I don't want anybody to have illusions," Barak said. "We are not entering a picnic but a difficult battle."