But the latest unrest suggests that his vulnerability may lie more in rising anger over accountability and democracy at home.
A temporary cease-fire was broken by the latest unrest.
The latest unrest was set off by an illness that hospitalized about 1,000 people, most of them ethnic Albanian children and teen-agers, last week.
The fatal shooting of a local souvenir vendor by a soldier at Rachel's Tomb on Monday set off the latest unrest.
The three self-immolations today brought to eight the number of protesters who have set themselves ablaze since the latest unrest began.
Given the latest unrest, and the apparent inability of the authorities to halt it, Mr. Mapoya is convinced that his days are numbered.
But analysts said it was too early to judge the long-term economic effect of the latest unrest.
The latest unrest comes almost a year since the binmen staged a one-day strike and began a work-to-rule.
Late on Monday, the two sides held what is believed to be their first direct talks since the latest unrest broke out.
The latest unrest came as Mr. Arafat was preparing to create the position of prime minister, to share in the day-to-day running of the government.