Israel raises heat in war of words with Arafat

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Natenyahu accused Palestinian President Yasser Arafat of lying to his people over the conditions of recent Wye River interim peace agreement.

At a press conference Natenyahu said he never approved the release of certain Palestinian detainees, adding that Israel will not hand over more land to the Palestinian government until the Palestinians admit this. An Israeli Cabinet communication said that the Palestinians must "retract their demand for the release of prisoners with blood on their hands, which completely contravenes what was agreed upon at Wye."

The commuique continued, "The Prime Minister said that Israel will not release murderers, even those who have been imprisoned for long periods."

Arafat said Israel has no right to issue instructions to the Palestinians.

More than 2,000 Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails are staging a hunger strike due to this matter.