Israel demands change in Palestinian national charter

Israeli political circles called afresh for changing the Palestinian National Charter. Israel's radio said on Monday a copy of the message sent by Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to British Prime Minister Tony Blair on modification of the charter has reached Tel Aviv.

After studying the copy, it was clear Arafat canceled eight of the charter's articles totally and 14 partially. Israeli political circles accused the Palestinian Authority of circumvention and alleged the message justified Israel's call for convening the Palestinian National Council to abrogate the charter in a clear way.

David Bar-Illan, in charge of political planning and information at the Israeli cabinet, alleged that the impasse Israeli-Palestinian talks reached was due to the Palestinians' non-commitment to the agreement and non-implementation of accords concluded between Israel and Palestine.

Bar-Illan rejected Palestinian threats to resort to violence. He said if the Palestinians decided to sit at the negotiating table, they would be prohibited from resorting to violence. He added that contacts are being made with the Palestinians and the American administration to find a solution for the impasse.

Meanwhile, a member of the Palestinian supreme committee of negotiations with Israel, Nabil Omar, said Israel is sparing no efforts to impose tough conditions on the Palestinians, and to flee basic peace obligations. He warned against the collapse of the peace process due to Israel's "flagrant intransigence."