Arafat's last chance to end violence

Speaking before reporters on Saturday, PA Chairman Yasser Arafat said, "We exerted and we will now exert our utmost efforts to stop the bloodshed of our people and the Israeli people and to do all that is needed to achieve an immediate and unconditional, real and effective cease-fire."

Arafat condemned the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, saying, "I repeat our condemnation of this tragic operation against civilians and of all operations that result in the killing of civilians, Palestinian or Israeli.''

Israeli officials said they were skeptical that Arafat would take practical measures to stop Palestinian violence. In particular, doubts were raised that Arafat would rearrest members of the Hamas and Islamic Jihad as specified in the Mitchell Commission report.

Conflicting reports surfaced in the media as to whether Arafat had actually given instructions to local leaders to cease violent attacks against Israelis. Even so, the declaration yesterday, when Arafat's words were in Arabic and broadcast in their entirety on Palestinian television and radio, was the first time he had announced his intentions to work towards a cease-fire.

Despite Arafat's words, Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti vowed, "The Intifada and resistance will continue as long as one Jewish settler and one Israeli soldier remains on our occupied land."

In response to Arafat's declaration, Foreign Affairs Minister Shimon Peres said, "The phrasing is not clear enough… The real and only test will be the cessation of terrorism and the arrest of those people involved - the inciters, the perpetrators and those behind them."

Shortly after Arafat spoke, the Netzer Hazani and Neve Dekalim settlements came under attack by Palestinian gunfire.

Israel's cabinet was scheduled to meet today to meet to discuss Arafat's sincerity in working towards a cease-fire. As Prime Minister Ariel Sharon reportedly told U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell yesterday, Arafat will be judged by his actions, not his words.