[TruthTalk] News Report from Jerusalem FYI

[Judy Taylor]

Looks like the demise of Yassir Arafat has only opened the way for more of the same, and worse.....   ABU MAZEN: LITTLE JIHAD IS OVER, BIG JIHAD STARTS Appearing before cheering crowds on January 9, Abu Mazen said that the period of the "little jihad [holy war] had ended, and now the big jihad is beginning." This quote led to a quaint exchange on Israel Radio's morning newsmagazine. Arabic-speaking correspondent Avi Yisacharov played the tapes of Abu Mazen's quotes, and then quickly said, "Regarding the future..." He was immediately interrupted by anchorman Aryeh Golan, who said, "Whoa, wait a second. What's this 'big jihad' stuff?" Yisacharov gave a nervous chuckle and said, "I don't think he means a real jihad, he just means the challenges ahead of reforms in the PA and the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel..."   Yisacharov similarly played a recording of a leading Abu Mazen supporter singing in joy at the results of the election and explained that it was simply "an old PLO [Palestine Liberation Organization] war song." Abu Mazen did little to allay Israeli fears that he is no different than Arafat. He said he dedicates his victory to "brother shahid [martyr] Yasser Arafat," to the "shahids and prisoners," and to the "Palestinian people from Rafiah to Jenin." The crowd responded, "A million shahids marching to Jerusalem!"  (BFP)