GAZA, April 18, 2004, (WAFA)- In a statement following the assassination of Dr. Abdel-Aziz al- Rantisi on Saturday evening, President Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Leadership called on International Community to provide international protection to the Palestinian people and his Leadership.... Israeli government's practices against the Palestinian people will not weaken the resistance of the Palestinians in face of the occupation, colonization and Israel's arrogance, the statement said.... The Palestinian Leadership confirmed that the atrocious assassinations crimes will strengthen our steadfastness and consolidate our national unity in the face of state terror.... The statement concluded that the Palestinian people are firmly determined to confront the continued Israeli crimes through resistance and steadfastness. There is no way, for the Palestinian People, but the way of freedom to liberate their land and establish the independent Palestinian state.... On its part, the Palestinian government also denounced Israel's assassination of Dr. Rantisi and said that the Israeli terrorist attack is a result of the US encouragement and the complete US bias to the Israeli Government.... It called on the Quartet to immediately intervene to stop the Israeli "mass liquidation" of the Palestinian people and held Israel responsible for the collapse of security in the Occupied Palestinian Territories....