Military

DATE=9/11/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (S)

NUMBER=2-307376

BYLINE= SONJA PACE

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Israeli troops have taken up positions across from Yasser Arafat's headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah. The move comes amid increasing calls by Israeli ministers to force the Palestinian leader into exile. VOA's Sonja Pace reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: Israeli troops are at the ready in a multi-story building across from Mr. Arafat's compound. Security officials say the move is to send a message to Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority.

Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom says Israel should expel Mr. Arafat despite objections from the United States. Mr. Shalom says a majority in the cabinet would support expulsion if it came to a vote.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is to discuss the issue with his security cabinet later Thursday as well as what other steps to take against Palestinian militants.

Israeli warplanes bombed the home of a senior Hamas leader on Thursday, injuring him and killing his son and a bodyguard. That attack followed suicide bombings near Tel Aviv and in Jerusalem a day earlier, for which Hamas claimed responsibility. (Signed)

NEB/SP/AWP