President Clinton met with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat twice yesterday to clarify the U.S. peace proposals but failed to win the Palestinian leader’s support. Though a White House spokesperson said Arafat had made commitments to reduce violence, expectations are low that an accord can be achieved in the last two-and-a-half weeks of Clinton’s term. Palestinians have demanded that refugees be allowed to return to their homes in Israel, from which they were expelled at the founding of Israel in 1948. Palestinians also objected strongly to the proposal’s provision for Israeli annexation of settlements in the West Bank. Meanwhile, tensions have escalated. Israel’s deputy defense minister has promised Israel will hunt down any Palestinians it considers to be involved in attacks on Israelis, including those serving in the Palestinian Authority.
Clinton Fails to Win Arafat’s Support for Mideast Peace Proposals
HeadlineJan 03, 2001