Arafat hits out at Israeli attacks on Palestinians
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has angrily denounced Israeli attacks on his people.
He made his comments as he shared a stage with his former peace partner Shimon Peres at a gathering at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, which was intended to offer hope of a Middle East settlement.
Arafat claimed the current Israeli government had waged a savage and barbaric war, as well as blatant and fascist military aggression against the Palestinian people, over the past four months.
In response to Arafat's outburst, Peres quipped: "I came with the preparation for a wedding, not a divorce."
The Palestinian leader said he would continue to pursue peace talks, but he offered little conciliation to Peres beyond walking up to him and shaking his hand at the end of the hour-long debate.
