Palestinian Leader Arafat Seeks International Protection for Occupied Territories

Strategic Insights -

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat engaged in talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Foreign Minister Amr Moussa in Cairo on February 25, 1994, following the Hebron massacre. During the meeting, Arafat urged Mubarak to persuade international parties, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to take a clear stance against the Israeli occupation. Arafat emphasized the need for international protection for Palestinians in the occupied territories and suggested the deployment of a Palestinian police force could aid in this endeavor. The talks aimed to find a face-saving way to revive the autonomy talks with Israel, which had stalled due to Palestinian outrage over the Hebron attack.

Key Takeaways:

  • Arafat held talks with Mubarak and Moussa on February 25, 1994, regarding the Hebron massacre and its aftermath.
  • Arafat called on Mubarak to persuade the United Nations Security Council to take a clear stance against the Israeli occupation.
  • Arafat emphasized the need for international protection for Palestinians in the occupied territories and proposed the deployment of a Palestinian police force.
  • Arafat stressed that reviving the autonomy talks with Israel was essential, but only with the context of international condemnation of the Hebron attack.
  • Arafat met with a delegation from the European Union, led by Greek Foreign Minister Karlos Papoulias, to discuss the peace process.
  • Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa called for the banning of militant Jewish organizations and emphasized the need to address Jewish settlements in future peace talks.
  • A delegation of 51 Arab Israelis held talks with Mubarak's advisor Osama El Baz, focusing on the deployment of international observers and forces to curb attacks by Jewish settlers and the Israeli army.

Statistics:

  • 39 Muslim worshippers were killed in the Hebron massacre on February 25, 1994.
  • The massacre occurred while prayer was taking place in an ancient shrine.
  • The Israeli cabinet was discussing the expulsion of settlers living in Hebron at the time of the talks.
  • A UN resolution was expected to condemn the Hebron attack, provide international protection for Palestinians, and disarm Jewish settlers.

Sources:

  • Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's statement on February 26, 1994.
  • Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's statement on February 25, 1994.
  • Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa's statement on February 25, 1994.
  • European Union delegation's discussion with Mubarak and Syrian President Hafez Assad over the weekend.
  • Statement from the leader of the 51 Arab Israelis' delegation to Mubarak's advisor Osama El Baz.