Israeli officials expressed "shock and dismay" at an official Spanish statement following Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's death which called him "one of the most relevant leaders of our time."

"The Spanish government expresses its great sadness at the death of Yasser Arafat, the president of the Palestinian National Authority, and winner of the Nobel peace prize," the statement read.

"Arafat's charismatic personality, the international status that he gave to the Palestinian nation and his unrelenting fight for recognition for his people makes him one of the most relevant leaders of our time," the statement read...

...Officials in Jerusalem said the Spanish comment was the "worst" reaction to Arafat's death to come from Europe because it completely ignored his involvement in terror.

"This reaction is without any proportion, and shows no empathy or understanding for what Arafat brought upon the Israeli public during his years of power," one official said. "The fact that there is no mention, not even a word, of Palestinian terror, or no mention of the fact that his hands were soaked with blood, raises questions about the objectivity of the Spanish government."

Spain's comment was held up in contrast to comments made by Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who in remarks to the media said emphatically that he will not be attending Arafat's funeral. Howard said that a "suitable representative" will be sent from Australia, but it will not be someone at the ministerial level...