Arafat has abandoned peace process, Israeli leader says

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak called for the formation of an emergency coalition government after Israel struck at Palestinian targets in the West Bank and Gaza in retaliation for the deaths of two soldiers. Barak did not state directly whether opposition leader Ariel Sharon, whose visit to Jerusalem's holy sites two weeks ago touched off Palestinian riots, would take part in a new government. But he said the coalition would be as broad-based as possible. In a news conference after a day of Cabinet meetings, Barak accused Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat of abandoning peace talks and said he believed Arafat was no longer a partner for peace. Palestinian and Israeli officials traded bitter and angry words throughout the day Thursday after the beating deaths of two Israeli soldiers at the hands of a Palestinian mob and the subsequent Israeli retaliation. The Israelis responded to the killings with rocket attacks on Ramallah -- where the beatings took place -- and Gaza. The Palestinians said their police were unable to keep the mob from its deadly purpose. The Israelis say they gave the Palestinians three hours notice that the attacks were coming so buildings could be evacuated.