Israel Keeps Up Pressure on Palestinians

Israel arrested dozens of Palestinians on Monday and demolished four houses built by Arabs in Jerusalem without permits, actions that Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat said were aimed at “humiliating the Palestinian people” for last week’s bombings in Jerusalem.

Israel says the homes it destroyed were built illegally.

After Wednesday’s suicide bombings in Jerusalem, which killed 15 people, including the two bombers, Israel suspended talks with the Palestinians.

Twenty-nine Palestinians were arrested Monday, raising the number detained by Israel since the attack to 145.

Also Monday, Arafat met with Jordan’s King Hussein, who later called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and offered to help mediate with the Palestinians. Netanyahu invited Hussein to come to Jerusalem on Wednesday morning.