In recent years Sharon was able to disguise much of his animosity by making himself out to be the amiable, accessible, avuncular politician, caring only for a peaceful solution of the conflict between his country and the Palestinians. His butchery against Palestinians was forgotten by his own people -but not by Arabs - and he managed to convince enough of the electorate to vote him into power. A power which he gleefully harbours, to wreak a bloody vengeance against Palestinians in general and Arafat in particular.

What is so disgusting in Israel's savagery against the Palestinians is that the world stands idly by, turning their attention instead to the imagined threat of devastation from Iraq. Yet, daily there is devastation being perpetrated by Israel upon the people of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Were it not for the support of America and, to some extent, Britain, Israel would rank high as being a country that should be brought before the International Criminal Court or even to have a UN force present to act as a buffer force between the warring parties. But no, there is no likelihood of that ever happening while America controls the UN so avidly.

So with impunity, on Friday, the day of prayer for all Muslims, Israel attacked Arafat right up to his doorstep. Every building or construction around and above Arafat has been demolished, trenches surrounding the "compound" have been dug and Palestinians wait to see what further havoc Sharon has in mind. Israel has totally isolated the Palestinian leader from his people - and left his office standing alone in a sea of rubble - yet still expects Arafat to supply security to the occupying force. A disgraceful demand that Sharon knows the helpless Arafat cannot fulfill.