Israel Resource Review |
31st October, 2000 |
Contents:
Official PA Radio News - the PBC Radio October 31
There has been
a fundamental change in the broadcast content and tone of VOP in
the last 24 hours. President Yasser Arafat and VOP have
communicated their complete support for the Fatah and Tanzeem
units-and their actions, too. The shift in attitude and tone
actually preceded by several hours Israeli missile strikes
against Fatah and Tanzeem targets, (see quotes below).
|
Similarly, Arafat and VOP have removed the remaining bits of ambiguity
regarding their support for violent actions. Arafat's top
advisors have begun speaking openly about "the Zionist enemy,"
"the Jews,"the Israeli military government" and "the criminal
Ehud Barak" in their references to Israeli leaders and forces.
One of the leaders of Fatah-Tanzeem, Marwan Baghrouti was featured on
afternoon and evening interview shows several hours before the Israeli
attacks on Fatah positions, (see below).
Detail, Commentary and Headlines
7 a.m. / 8 a.m./ 9 a.m.
General Introductory Commentary
"A campaign of raids and
military attacks by Israeli forces against the Fatah offices in
al-Bireh, a security installation in Nablus, Khan Yunis and
Rafah. The leadership places complete responsibility for the
attacks on Israel and says our people are steadfast and ready to
continue through the crisisinthe struggle for freedom and
independence. The Leadership asserts that this dastardly attack
followed Barak's political speech in the Knesset and reflects
his aggression."
Headlines
- "Israeli attacks on Fatah offices and dwellings in al-Bireh
and Nablus"
- "About 100 wounded in Israeli aggression against our people"
12-noon
- "President Yasser Arafat says that the Israeli bombardment will not cause even a tremble of the eyelash of a Palestinian child"
- "Occupation forces close down Gaza International Airport"
4 p.m.
- "Confrontations renewed in Gaza, Hebron and Ramallah while eight
martyrs are buried"
- "Israeli guard struck in Jerusalem, and settler found dead near
colony of Gilo"
- "President Arafat in Egypt says our people will continue battling Israeli aggression"
News details
Report of attack on Israeli border patrol in Gaza.
Report also included an on-air interview of Arafat in report by
'Adil Za'nun, in which Arafat responded to alleged threats by
Israeli Chief of Staff Shaul Mofaz against Fatah and Tanzeem
units. Arafat said: "The Fatah movement is part of the
Palestinian people, and it has been burned by the tanks along
with the Palestinian people". Arafat further said that no force
would be able to negate the Palestinian people's defense of its
land and its holy sites-sites holy to Islam and to Christianity.
Similarly, VOP aired a lengthy interview with Marwan Baghrouti,
head of the Tanzeem (see below) in which he issued a
counter-threat to Mofaz
Interview with Yasser Abd-Rabbo, PA Minister of Culture
"We believe that the (upcoming) Islamic summit will reiterate and
concentrate on supporting the Palestinian position in Jerusalem
and its holy places in Jerusalem, and the sovereignty of the
Palestinians in Jerusalem in its entirety, being that it
contains holy places toIslamand Christianity."
(Oct. 31, 4:15 pm)
"We don't expect everything in one day.But we are confident that
the Arab nation will not forget its word and will be steadfast
with the Palestinian struggle. We are counting on this (keeping
of) word in the future struggle for our independence."
Reporting Elements
Field reports are stressing the alleged Israeli use of
internationally-banned weapons such as dum-dum bullets, which
according to the reports, have been deliberately aimed at
civilian targets inside Palestinian towns.
Quote of the Day
"This government of Barak's-this military government-is trying
to force a military solution on the Palestinian people. To use
the force of arms to make the Palestinian people accept Israeli
demands which are: not withdrawing from Palestinian lands, not
removing settlements, and Judaizing Jerusalem.Barak who cried
about peace in the Knesset two days ago has dipped his hands
into the spilled blood of the Palestinian people."
(PA Cabinet
Secretary Ahmad Abdul-Rahman, prime time morning interview,
Oct. 31)
Attitude to Reconciliation or Negotiation with Israel (Baghruti)
"I think that the statement of Israeli chief of Staff Mofaz
shows that the Israelis have made a political decision, with all
its danger, to continue evil, terroristic Israeli aggression
against our people with an increased use of tanks, use of
artillery and opening fire against our people combined with
sophisticated use of blockades.I think the decision to threaten
to strike Fatah and Tanzeem and their elements is a political
decision to strike at the Intifada. If Mofaz tries to carry out
his threat we will make sure he pays a price he cannot afford."
(Marwan Baghrouti, 4:45 p.m., Oct. 31)
Other Quotes of the Day
"This thing (Israeli military action) will not cause a trembling
of even an eyelash on any Palestinian child."
(Yasser Arafat in
interview with VOP morning Oct. 31, repeated throughout day)
"The national and Islamic forces feel that this crime
(casualties in Jenin)come from the criminal Israeli government
and the occupation army that shelled Jenin all night."
(report of Nasser Abu-Bakr 4:30pm, Oct. 31)
"Any Israeli escalation will be matched by our blessed Intifada.
The Israelis who have failed with their closures are moving to a
new level of aggression against our cities."
(Ahmad Abdul-Rahman, PA Cabinet secretary in morning interview)
Return to Contents
Go to
the Israel Resource
Review homepage
The Israel Resource Review is brought to you by
the Israel Resource, a media firm based at the Bet Agron Press Center in
Jerusalem, and the Gaza Media Center under the juristdiction of the Palestine
Authority.
You can contact us on media@actcom.co.il.
|