The Israeli government today said in a statement there would be no more activities by the Palestinian Authority in Jerusalem, just two days after occupying the unofficial Palestinian headquarters in the city.
"Activities of a diplomatic or administrative character - by a foreign entity - inside the State of Israel, without its consent, constitute an infringement of Israeli sovereignty," the government statement said.
It accused the Palestinian Authority of Mr Yasser Arafat of having organised "severe offense" in its Orient House base in Jerusalem, including "detentions, seizure of property, abductions, torture murder etc."
But the government warned: "That period has ended: what was, will not recur."
Police and troops entered Orient Hosue, seen by Palestinians as the future seat of government for an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The security forces have closed the building down, and Internal Security Minister Mr Uzi Landau said earlier it would remain under Israeli control "for good."
Earlier Israel’s Foreign Minister Mr Shimon Peres said there was "no chance" of reviving a shattered ceasefire unless the government starts talking to Mr Arafat.
"Without that, there will be no chance. If we do not make a supreme effort (to start talks) the result will be continuing violence at every level and the strengthening of Hamas," Mr Peres said.
"Some people say that there should be no negotiations under fire and I accept that ... but there must be negotiations to apply the ceasefire."
Mr Peres said at a cabinet meeting earlier in the day that the government had to rethink its policy of refusing to talk with the Palestinians until hostilities have totally ceased, a line held by Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon.
AFP