Jerusalem ? Israeli leaders shrugged off condemnation of their decision to “remove” Yasser Arafat whenever they choose, saying Friday the Palestinian leader should have been ousted long ago and the world has no right to judge a nation facing constant suicide bombings.

Words of caution, regret and anger rolled in from country after country a day after Israel made the vaguely worded decision that it would act to remove Arafat. The threat sparked pro-Arafat marches by thousands of supporters in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and drew opposition from the European Union, the United Nations and Arab countries, as well as the United States.

“In the early hours of this morning the phones rang from all over the world,” Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said. “They’re asking us to do nothing against Yasser Arafat. Has the world turned on its head?”

Arafat emerged from his compound in Ramallah for a second straight night Friday and offered thanks to the world’s “free peoples” for their support a day after Israeli leaders said they had decided to remove him.

The crowd held photos of Arafat and chanted: “With our blood and souls we will redeem you.” Arafat answered: “With our blood and souls, we will redeem you, Palestine.”

As the crowd left, a dozen Palestinians remained behind in the compound and set up tents, saying they would act as human shields if Israeli troops try to seize their leader.

Israel, however, pulled back from any immediate operation and on Friday abandoned lookout positions on top floors of two buildings overlooking Arafat’s compound.

Secretary of State Colin Powell telephoned Shalom and the Palestinian foreign minister to emphasize the United States’ opposition to exiling Arafat. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said “it would not help matters; it would only serve to give him a broader stage.”

The Palestinians urged the U.N. Security Council to demand that Israel stop the expulsion.

The Council discussed a resolution late Friday and then adjourned until Monday, despite Palestinian pressure for a quick vote.