The World - News from Sept. 28, 1989

Israeli peace activist Abie Nathan was convicted of violating a law banning contacts with “terrorist organizations” for meeting with Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat last year. He faces up to three years in prison. Sentencing was postponed until Oct. 3. In court, Nathan said he met with Arafat because he believed it was correct to speak to “the enemy” in order to achieve peace, Israel Radio reported. The Arafat meeting was only the latest in Nathan’s personal peace missions. However, Israel refuses to recognize the PLO, and laws prohibit Israeli citizens from meeting with the group. Nathan, whose talks with Arafat last September were widely publicized, is the fifth Israeli convicted under the law.