Orbit (Egyptian TV) interview from April 18, 1998 with Arafat The Israeli Government Press Office (GPO) today April 28 released excerpts from an interview given by P.A. Chairman Yasser Arafat to the Egyptian Orbit TV on April 18, 1998. Israel intends to lodge a formal complaint with the Palestinians, on the grounds that Arafat's remarks constitute incitement against Israel and are therefore in violation of the Oslo Accords and the Hevron Protocol. Segments of the interview follow: Question: How do you explain that you occasionally ask the Palestinian street not to explode? Arafat: When the prophet Muhammad made the Khudaibiya agreement, he agreed to remove his title "messenger of Allah" from the agreement. Then, Omar bin Khatib and the others referred to this agreement as the "inferior peace agreement." Of course, I do not compare myself to the prophet, but I do say that we must learn from his steps and those of Salah a-Din. The peace agreement which we signed is an "inferior peace". The conditions [behind it] are the intifada, which lasted for seven years. [GPO Note: Arafat is referring to the Khudaibiya agreement made by Muhammad with the Arabian tribe of Koreish. The pact, slated to last for ten years, was broken within two years, when the Islamic forces - having used the peace pact to become stronger - conquered the Koreish tribe. His reference to Salah a-Din is to the Muslim leader who, after a cease-fire, declared a jihad against the Crusaders and captured Jerusalem.] Question: For practical reasons, do you now suggest to maintain quiet despite everything? Arafat: Yes, I suggest we maintain quiet. We respect agreements the way that the prophet Muhammad and Salah a-Din respected the agreements which they signed. Question: Is Arafat still the same revolutionary fighter? Is he capable of taking to the streets when necessary? Arafat: This nation of giants has created 100,000 Arafats. We are a nation of giants which has been struggling with World Zionism for 101 years, and we are capable of beginning it all again. I say this not in the name of Arafat but in the name of the new generals... All options are open before the Palestinian people. Question: Does your position permit you to work without interruption, as you are wont to do? Arafat: Without a doubt. I would also like to say that I envy the martyrs and I hope to become one of them, though it has been decreed thus far that I continue to live."