Military

DATE=10/24/2000

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (L-OVERNITER)

NUMBER=2-268375

BYLINE=SONJA PACE

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Clashes between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli security forces are now in their fourth week and show no signs of ending. Around 130 people have died in the violence thus far, almost all of them Palestinians. And as VOA's Sonja Pace reports from Jerusalem, both sides seem to be digging in for the long haul.

TEXT: Israel's chief army spokesman says the violence is, in his words, "no short-lived adventure," indicating the army is ready for a drawn out conflict. Palestinian officials also say they expect a lengthy confrontation. Each side continues to blame the other for having started the violence and for doing nothing to stop it.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak is accusing Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat of having chosen the "path of conflict" to get further concessions from Israel. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat says Mr. Barak is making life in the Palestinian areas sheer, "hell."

Renewed clashes took place Tuesday in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in spite of cold weather and rainfall.

Israel has also warned of a tougher response if Palestinian gunmen from the village of Beit Jalla continue to shoot at the Jewish neighborhood of Gilo on the outskirts of Jerusalem.

Amidst this wave of violence, Prime Minister Barak continues to push for a broader based "national emergency" government by trying to bring in the opposition Likud party of Ariel Sharon. Behind the scenes negotiations are underway with Likud and other parties, but no agreement has yet been reached.

By bringing in other parties, Mr. Barak hopes to shore up his own minority government and stave off motions for a no-confidence vote and calls for new elections when the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, returns from a lengthy recess on Sunday. (Signed)

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