Reforms Begin in the Palestinian Authority - 2002-06-10

In response to international community requests for reforms in the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader, has formed a smaller cabinet and for the first time appointed a Minister of Interior. Abdul Razak Yahya, designated as the Minister of Interior, is tasked with reforming the security and intelligence forces of the Authority. Israel complains that the Palestinian security forces and police have not acted sufficiently to curb terrorism. Salam Fayyad, a former official at the International Monetary Fund, has been appointed Minister of Finance in the new cabinet. The Palestinian cabinet changes announced on Sunday come a month after the Palestinian parliament called for comprehensive reforms across the Authority. Israel and the U.S. emphasize that especially the Palestinian security forces must be reformed to prevent terrorist operations. Meanwhile, the Palestinian police have arrested Abdullah Shami, a senior leader of Islamic Jihad, who claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in Israel last week that resulted in 17 deaths. Abdullah Shami was arrested in the Gaza Strip. Earlier today, a strong explosion shook the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, injuring at least 32 people, with the cause of the explosion not yet announced. Hours earlier, Israeli tanks entered the Palestinian city of Ramallah in the West Bank, and heavy clashes are ongoing, with 15 tanks supported by armed helicopters participating in the operation, which has surrounded Yasser Arafat's headquarters. The Israeli army states that it has gone to Ramallah with the aim of arresting several wanted individuals.