Israel has given a commitment to Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat that any member of the Palestine National Council living in exile who comes to the Palestinian self-rule areas will be allowed to stay permanently.
Under the terms of the accord signed last September for extending self-rule in the territories, Arafat must convene the PNC within the next few months for a vote on amending those portions of the Palestine National Covenant that call for the destruction of Israel.
Israel, in an effort to ensure that the vote is held, has so far approved the entry of every PNC member whose name has appeared on lists provided by the PLO. Among them are opponents of the peace process as well as seasoned terrorists who have committed acts of violence against Israelis.
In addition to allowing the PNC members to convene for the vote, Israel has also agreed to let them remain in the Palestinian autonomy even after a decision on the covenant is made.
While it remains unclear when Israel reached this decision, it appears certain that it reflects an oral commitment made in ongoing discussions with Palestinian officials.
The commitment also appears to remain in place despite this week’s twin terror attacks in Jerusalem and Ashkelon.
Among those whom Israel is allowing into the self-rule areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are Nayef Hawatmeh, leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command, another member of a 10-group alliance of radical rejectionist groups based in Damascus; and Leila Khaled, a member of the PFLP who hijacked a TWA flight in 1969 and an El Al jet in 1970.
Some members of the PNC who said they would settle in the autonomy permanently have indicated that they would also try to have relatives follow them by asking for an Israeli approval of family reunions.
Khaled, who in recent interviews has not unequivocally renounced terrorism for the achievement of Palestinian aspirations, said she would seek to have her family join her as soon as she arrives. She and Hawatmeh are expected in the territories within a month.
Meanwhile, members of the Democratic Front are trying to win entry into the autonomy for members of its executive council who are not members of the PNC.
Israel is believed to be unlikely to approve that request.
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