Fatah: Israel behind Arafat's death
Five years after former Palestinian leader's death, Fatah Congress unanimously concludes Israel was behind it, set up inquiry commission to probe matter
The Fatah Congress on Thursday unanimously concluded that Israel was behind the death of former PA President Yasser Arafat. The congress decided to set up a Palestinian inquiry commission to probe the matter.
The congress also called for an international commission to investigate the circumstances of Arafat's death.
Arafat died in the end of 2004. In October of that year his physical condition dramatically deteriorated, and shortly afterwards – with Israel's authorization – he was transferred to a French military hospital.
The former Palestinian leader spent two weeks in isolation in the hospital, and was received visits only from his wife Suha and a few aides, under tight security. The lack of credible information on Arafat's condition led to various rumors, and his death was announced a number of times.
On November 12, a hospital spokesperson announced that Arafat was dead.
Stormy debates
Another topic debated in the congress is the absence Fatah's Gaza-based delegates, who were unable to attend the Bethlehem meet due to Hamas restrictions.
The commission is inclined to vote on the various Fatah institutions without them, even thought the decision will affect their participation. The few Gaza delegates in attendance, headed by Mohammad Dahlan, were enraged by the decision and nearly stormed out of the meeting.
Dahlan further said that if such a vote takes place, he will withdraw his candidacy for some of the movement's institutions.
Dahlan and the other Gaza delegates are demanding that those unable to attend the congress would be allowed to vote in a time and place set by the Fatah Central Committee,
The congress later discussed several issues concerning Fatah and the Palestinians in Lebanon.
