President Shimon Peres responded sharply on Wednesday to Arab criticism of a new government plan to protect Jewish historical sites that will include the Cave of Macpelah in Hebron and Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem. Peres said that extremist forces including Hamas were trying to incite the situation and produce artificial conflicts: "Israel plans to invest significant amounts in infrastructure that will increase the accessibility of holy sites to all worshipers. By doing so it aims to honor and allow freedom of worship to all, irrespective of their faith, and protect the holy sites. There is no violation of Muslim or Christian religious rights in any holy place."

Peres requested that this message be delivered to the U.N. Secretary-General so as to stop those parties which wish to incite an unnecessary conflict.