Mr. Shukeirat, who had been imprisoned for anti-Israel violence and was released three months ago, was said by relatives to have become a devout Muslim while jailed.

Mr. Arafat has shown that he can stop anti-Israel violence when he wants, but chooses not to, he said.

For that very reason, he and others believe that Israel cannot rule out unilateral withdrawals despite the Gaza experience, which did not end anti-Israel violence and benefited Hamas.

Thus he has done little to discourage their anti-Israel violence.

They clearly gave Israel a public relations black eye, and they did not end anti-Israel violence by either Hamas or the other main target, the group known as Islamic Holy War.

Allowing the movement of Palestinian exports and labor, as well as minimizing border closures, would give more Palestinians something to lose and generate more internal calls for stopping anti-Israel violence.

The 13 others were flown to Haifa, and except for two who will be sent home, they are to be imprisoned for alleged anti-Israel violence in the territories.

The policy not only fails to make the Israeli public more secure; it arouses more anti-Israel violence.

Since the start of the Palestinian uprising in December 1987, there has not been a period of such sustained anti-Israel violence as in the last month.

Six months ago Israel imposed heavy travel restrictions on Palestinians in the occupied territories after a wave of anti-Israel violence.