Arafat plans attacks inside Israel

JERUSALEM — Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat plans terrorist attacks inside Israel, Israeli officials said.

The officials said Prime Minister Ehud Barak has been briefed by his intelligence services that the PA plans to launch attacks inside Israel. They said the first attacks were launched against Jewish settlements and Jerusalem neighborhoods.

The officials said Arafat wants to escalate the confrontation with Israel to include the northern border with Lebanon and force the international community to intervene. They said the nightly shooting at the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo is being directed by the PA in an attempt to recruit the support of Pope John Paul II. The PA shooting attack on Jerusalem came from Bet Jallah, a largely Christian village.

The violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is expected to escalate on Tuesday amid a call by the PA for demonstrations throughout the area. The protests will include a march by Palestinians toward Jerusalem.

"We will not starve to death in our country, while Israelis live on our land in safety," PA security chief Jibril Rajoub said.

On Tuesday, diplomatic sources said Arafat pledged to the United States that the shooting from Bet Jallah would end.

Aides to Barak said Israel is faced with what they term a genuine threat from the Palestinians as well as their allies around the Arab world. They said that Arafat appears to be recruiting Arab and Islamic allies in the campaign against Israel and has been swayed by a new anti-peace coalition comprised of Iran, Iraq and Yemen. Up to four Iraqi divisions have moved west near the western borders with Jordan and Syria.

The intelligence sources said Arafat wants to continue the violence against Israel at least into next year. Amid the confrontation, Arafat plans to declare a state.

Overnight Tuesday, Palestinian gunmen fired toward the Ramallah-area Jewish settlement of Pesagot. In Gaza, Israel closed the airport after Palestinian gunmen tried to take over the facility. The airport was reopened hours later.

The Israeli military does not forsee the prospect of an immediate Israeli war with its Arab neighbors. But the military has begun preparations, including updating budget needs and stockpiling war material.

The Israeli Haaretz daily said Tuesday that the military wants an additional 2.5 billion shekels [$580 million]. About 20 percent would be to complete its stockpile of weapons and supplies. Another 1 billion shekels would be used for fortifications of positions, Jewish settlements and additional reserve manpower.

The remaining 1 billion shekels would be employed for preparations of a war with the Arab states.