The United States called Monday on Israel, the Palestinians and Arab leaders to avoid violence during the transition period following Tuesday's premiership election, reported The Jerusalem Post newspaper.
Arab leaders have warned the US administration that they may not be able to restrain their populations from rioting and expressing anti-Israel sentiments if Likud leader Ariel Sharon triumphs Tuesday, said the Post.
US President George W. Bush telephoned Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to discuss the Israeli elections, said the Post, adding that Secretary of State Collin Powell spoke to Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Ehud Barak on the same subject.
"I think the message that Powell has delivered is for both sides [Israelis and Palestinians] to avoid any kind of provocation, and avoid any kind of violence during this period," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters.
"Clearly, Israel is a democracy and they have a right to choose their own leaders; they'll make that choice. And we would expect to be engaged and involved in the search for peace," Boucher added.
Meanwhile, Palestine's information minister, Yasser Abed Rabbo warned Tuesday of the danger of a victory by Sharon, saying he would continue to "suppress" the Palestinian people, according to AFP.
"There is no danger like the danger of Sharon and all eyes have to be wide open to this, the peace front must be enlarged to confront this," Abed Rabbo told Voice of Palestine radio.
A Sharon victory would represent "the awakening of the radical Israeli right-wing forces and their attempt to take power to implement their program of settlements and enduring occupation," he added.
Palestinians called Tuesday for a "day of rage" to pass a message to Sharon" that if elected prime minister, he will face an escalation in Palestinian violence, the Post quoted a Fateh official as saying.
"If he wants to open fire on us we are ready," said Hussein Sheikh, adding that Sharon's political platform is a declaration of war.
The Islamic Jihad movement also vowed Monday to attack targets in Israel in the days to come.
The group issued the threat after soldiers Sunday night shot and killed one of its members as he tried to infiltrate from the Gaza Strip, said press reports.
Meanwhile, Israelis buried Tuesday Rujia Salame, 23, who was killed overnight by an armed Palestinian in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, reported Haaretz newspaper.
In response to the incident, Barak ordered the closing of the Palestinian Authority airport near Rafah and the international crossing in the area.
Israel Radio reported that overnight shots were fired at Israeli military outposts in the Jewish settlements of Netzarim, Neve Dekalim, and Kfar Darom.
Israeli soldiers, said the paper, returned fire, adding that no injuries were reported -- Albawaba.com
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