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CNN Live At Daybreak

Israel Trying New Tactic in Way It Handles Terrorism

Aired July 19, 2002 - 05:31   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Israel, meanwhile, appears to be trying a new tactic in the way it handles terrorism. It's now detaining relatives of Palestinian militant suicide bombers for possible exile from their homes.

Let's go to CNN's Chris Burns, who's joining us from Jerusalem with the latest on this.

Chris, first of all, is this truly a new tactic?

CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it is seen as a new tactic, Catherine. It's happened in other countries. Pakistan, as a matter of fact, has been rounding up families and trying to get to the bottom of some militant cases.

Israel has done this now, reportedly, according to the IDF, saying that they went into Nablus in the last day or so arresting the family members of two militants who are linked, Palestinian militants who are linked to the latest attacks this week, the one in Emmanuel, near Emmanuel against the bus near that Jewish settlement on the West Bank that killed eight Israelis. Also, the one on Wednesday, Wednesday night in Tel Aviv that killed three Israel -- three people.

That, they're also, the Israelis are trying to get to the bottom of that. And these two militants are those who are seen as those behind the attacks and organizing the attacks. One of them is a member of the Fatah group, which is, of course, Yasser Arafat's organization.

So this is what they're trying to do. And, in fact, there are reports that the Israelis are considering, now they're considering deporting one of the families to Gaza. And now, of course, there are some big legal questions in that. It could arouse quite a bit of outrage, at least among the Arab world.

So that we're going to have to be watching very closely.

Israeli reaction to these meetings in Washington are kind of interesting, as well. If you look at the headline of the "Jerusalem Post," the main headline, they're saying that Arabs are withholding their support for Arafat.

Now, this is the Israelis trying to read between the lines, suggesting that the Arabs have not raised such strong objection to the American desire to eventually sideline Arafat and go for new leadership among the Palestinians. But if you look at the same time at one of the headlines of the "International Herald Tribune," this is a "Washington Post" story coming out of here, where the headline says, "Egyptian -- " if I can read this, "Egyptian Assails Efforts To Oust Arafat."

So it's different interpretations of what is going on in Washington. However, the Israelis are suggesting perhaps it is wishful thinking that the Americans are winning over, perhaps in a tacit way, the Arab leaders.

They are also suggesting that perhaps the Europeans are starting to agree with the Americans, as well, on that, suggesting that the Europeans are not voicing such strong objection to sidelining Arafat. This is all sort of pointing in that direction of trying to encourage a new Palestinian leadership.

Now, you might take a look at what even the Palestinians have said in the last few days, that they would like to name a prime minister after elections and once there is an independent Palestine. That is some questions that will be being discussed in the coming days -- Catherine.

CALLAWAY: They will be.

All right, thank you.

Chris Burns.

Thanks, Chris.

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