Jerusalem: Uniting against a US veto on the UN resolution telling Israel not to implement its decision on Yasser Arafat, Palestinians said it showed that Washington was turning its back on the internationally- brokered road-map for peace while the Palestinian leader said they were "stronger" than any decision.

"The international silence will not make us weak," Arafat reportedly told supporters at his compound in Jerusalem.

"We do not care about any resolution here or there and we are stronger than any decision," he said.

Palestinian Cabinet Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo said US policy had become a "hostage" to Israeli hardliners, the daily Ha'aretz reported.

Describing the veto as a "black day for the UN and for the Arabs", Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said that he hoped that Israel would not interpret the veto as a "license to kill" Arafat, the 'Jerusalem Post' reported.

However, Israelis remained unfazed by the worldwide outcry and subsequent UN resolution. Dore Gold, an adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon accused UN Security Council members of being "anxious" to protect Arafat, who Israel accuses of fomenting violence and ignoring Palestinian suicide bombings against Israelis, Ha'aretz reported.

"Israelis are asking themselves where was the UN Security Council when Israeli citizens were slaughtered last week in two suicide bombing attacks?" Gold said.

PTI