Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said Israel is no longer obligated to an earlier commitment to the United States to not physically harm Palestinian Liberation Organisation leader Yasser Arafat.
"I promised President Bush three years ago not to attack Arafat, but I am no longer bound by that promise, and (Arafat) no longer has immunity," Sharon said on Friday.
Sharon told Channel Two television in an interview that he told US President George W Bush about the latest decision during their meeting last week. But did not disclose the US president's response.
However, the White House said Bush, during the meeting, "reiterated his opposition" on harming Arafat.
"We have made it entirely clear to the Israeli government that we would oppose any such action and have done so again in the wake of these remarks," a senior US official reportedly said, adding, "we consider a pledge, a pledge."
Meanwhile, Arafat called on world leaders and told them about Sharon's latest threat, a report said.
Arafat also told European, Arab, Egyptian and Jordanian leaders about the consequences of escalation of violence in Palestinian territories, his chief advisor Abu Rudeina said.