Arafat's Instructions

As many in the world's media trumpeted Yasir Arafat's call for a halt in the shooting from area A [under full Palestinian control] many in the Israeli area question Arafat's call as they mistrust him, with good reason. The call to halt the shooting raised more questions that it answered. What did Arafat mean? A mistrusting Israeli Major General Giyora Eiland, head of the IDF's Operations Branch, said that Yasir Arafat's announcement that his men have been issued an order to stop shooting from Area A territory is good news, although it could be manipulation. Eiland said that Arafat specifically emphasized in his announcement that an order had been issued to stop the shooting from PA controlled areas. Such a statement can be interpreted in many ways and could also be read as permission to shoot at Israelis from other areas. It could very well be, the general added, that despite his announcement Arafat gave an order to Fatah Tanzim commander Marwan al-Barghuthi to continue the shooting at Israel.

The answer was clarified in the Arafat controlled newspaper Al Haya Al Jadida on Nov. 16, when they wrote:

It likely is not smart to fire at terrorist Jews from within residential quarters. It likely is not wise to open Palestinian fire from inside Area A. Nevertheless, nothing stops us from firing at the body's of the criminal occupiers from positions in Areas B and C. Nothing stops us from removing the settlers who came from all parts of the world on the carpet of the Torah and the wind of myths and false religions. Nothing prevents the Palestinian from defending himself through all possible means supported by international legality against the enemy, attacking his psychological security, and spreading fear in the settlement blocs. We honor the decision regarding Area A. But our land classified as Areas B and C are under occupation. It is our duty to resist in Areas B and C. If the Americans and some Arabs are angry at any of our actions of struggle, they can hit their heads against a brick wall. Resistance is everything in Palestine. It is a doctrine, policy, religion, identity, and history. We have this honor in the era of universal prostitution. Let us save the bullets so that every bullet will hit its target.

And as expected, Arafat's faithful subordinate, Marwan al-Barghuthi, Tanzim commander, the very next day said that the intifadah, "despite Baraq's savage aggression, will continue and will expand geographically to include all the Palestinian villages, camps, and residential areas until the occupation is defeated."