Israeli defense minister met with Arafat's economic advisor

The Israeli daily Yadhout Ahronot said on Sunday that the Israeli defense minister Benjamin Bin Aliazer met last Thursday with the economic advisor of the chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Rasheed. The paper quoted Bin Aliazer as saying during the meeting that the key is now in the hands of Arafat. He claimed that Israel is ready to take positive steps towards the Palestinians if what he called" terrorism" is suspended. Bin Aliazer also said that Israel does not want to harm Arafat nor to alienate him from the Palestinian territories.The Israeli radio reported.