January 7, 1996From Correspondent Walter Rodgers
DURA, West Bank (CNN) -- Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat on Sunday blamed Israel for the assassination of master bomb-maker Yihya Ayyash, and praised Ayyash as a hero who died for the Palestinian cause. Ayyash died in Gaza on Friday when a cellular telephone blew up near his head.
Ayyash was suspected of planning seven suicide bombings in Israel that killed as many as 70 people. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the assassination, but Ayyash topped its most-wanted list.
The Islamic militant group Hamas, for whom Ayyash worked, has vowed to avenge his death. Israel prepared for such an event by closing off the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Sunday.
Speaking in the West Bank town of Dura, Arafat called Ayyash a martyr. Arafat's rhetoric appeared aimed at distancing himself from the assassination. Some Palestinians suspect Israel could not have found Ayyash without Arafat's help.
Coming just before Palestinian elections, the assassination is embarrassing for Arafat. Some predict a backlash vote against him by those who deeply resent the fact that Israel might have struck within territory that Arafat controls.
Rain seemed to dampen Palestinian reaction to the assassination on the streets during the second day of a three-day strike called to mourn Ayyash's death. But even some Palestinians who disapproved of Ayyash's suicide bombings against Israel suggested the attacks were not totally unjustified.
Israelis are hoping that the expected release of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners this week will assuage Palestinian anger. Most Israelis believe Ayyash's assassination will save Israeli lives, and they have no problem with the killing. "I see no moral dilemma whatsoever," said Hirsh Goodman, editor of the Jerusalem Report. He said it's a question of one terrorist dying, or dozens of innocent Israelis dying. ( 187K AIFF sound or 187K WAV sound)
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