Mr Arafat sets off to visit President Clinton, and push for an international force to intervene. He broadly supports Palestinian claims to Jerusalem, but says that, in return, they must drop the demand for a 'right of return' to Israel for all refugees. Army chiefs say Thabet was a militant, directing armed operations against Israeli forces. Other Israelis point out that he was a peace activist with many Jewish contacts. He apologises for the deaths of a dozen Israeli Arabs during rioting in the early stages of the intifada.
Community leaders welcome the apology, but say it has come too late.
Most are urging Arab voters to boycott the poll.