Prime Minister Sharon agreed to two controversial meetings today: Peres and Arafat, and himself with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
Despite the continuing violence, including mortar shells, pipe bombs, and shooting attacks last night and today, Sharon decided to allow Foreign Minister Peres to meet with Arafat tomorrow morning at the PA airport in Gaza. Sharon has approved and called off a Peres-Arafat meeting several times over the past month; if past history is any indicator, therefore, Sharon\'s consent today is not yet the final word. At least one right-wing party has threatened to quit the coalition if the meeting is held (see article 5 below).
In addition, Sharon acceded to a personal request by British Prime Minister Tony Blair and will meet for a short time with British Foreign Secretary Straw tonight. Sharon had originally canceled a scheduled meeting with the guest in the wake of Straw\'s strong anti-Israel remarks; Straw justified Palestinian terrorism against Israel by telling an Iranian newspaper, \"One of the factors that helps breed terror is the anger that many people in the region feel at events over the years in the Palestinian territories.\" President Moshe Katzav followed suit and also called off a meeting with him. Foreign Minister Shimon Peres will also meet with Straw, but has canceled his planned dinner with him.
Despite the continuing violence, including mortar shells, pipe bombs, and shooting attacks last night and today, Sharon decided to allow Foreign Minister Peres to meet with Arafat tomorrow morning at the PA airport in Gaza. Sharon has approved and called off a Peres-Arafat meeting several times over the past month; if past history is any indicator, therefore, Sharon\'s consent today is not yet the final word. At least one right-wing party has threatened to quit the coalition if the meeting is held (see article 5 below).
In addition, Sharon acceded to a personal request by British Prime Minister Tony Blair and will meet for a short time with British Foreign Secretary Straw tonight. Sharon had originally canceled a scheduled meeting with the guest in the wake of Straw\'s strong anti-Israel remarks; Straw justified Palestinian terrorism against Israel by telling an Iranian newspaper, \"One of the factors that helps breed terror is the anger that many people in the region feel at events over the years in the Palestinian territories.\" President Moshe Katzav followed suit and also called off a meeting with him. Foreign Minister Shimon Peres will also meet with Straw, but has canceled his planned dinner with him.