The security mini-cabinet decided late last night to begin a gradual withdrawal from the PA-ruled areas that the IDF took over almost a week ago. The withdrawal was made contingent upon the Palestinian fulfillment of the conditions that Israel has been demanding for a while, namely, the capture of the murderers of Minister Ze\'evi who are still at large, the arrest of other terrorists, and significant action against the terrorism infrastructure. These conditions will apparently be worked out in a meeting this afternoon of Israeli and Palestinian military representatives and American observers.
The forum that convened last night is a three-member body composed of Prime Minister Sharon, Foreign Minister Peres, and Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer. Last night, however, Ministers Lieberman, Yeshai, Sharansky, and Shalom were also invited, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha’ul Mofaz and other security leaders briefed the group on the situation. Peres was in favor of a quicker withdrawal, but could not convince Sharon and Ben-Eliezer. In the end, the decision was unanimous. The withdrawal will be implemented first in Beit Jala, which is considered to be \"quiet\" despite the continuing fire on Gilo from nearby Bethlehem and other areas.
It is expected that the army will complete its withdrawal within a week, in time for the Prime Minister\'s visit to U.S. President George Bush in Washington early next month.
The army, for its part, is fuming at the decision. Senior officers note that since the current major offensive began, the number of Arab shooting incidents in Yesha has gone down drastically, and that it will certainly increase if the army withdraws. IDF Intelligence Chief Maj.-Gen. Amos Malka said yesterday that there are serious warnings of impending suicide attacks, and that the Palestinian Authority is doing nothing about arresting the many terrorists walking around freely in its midst. Malka also had criticism for the international community: \"They applauded Arafat too early,\" he said, apparently referring to U.S. President George Bush\'s remarks earlier this month in praise of Arafat\'s actions. \"The PA translated this to mean that it had received a passing grade, and stopped working to thwart terrorism.\"
The Yesha Council was very sharp in its condemnation of the government\'s decision. \"The Cabinet has essentially decided to abandon Israel\'s citizens to the mercies of Arafat and his terrorists,\" read the Council\'s statement this morning. \"The past week has proven that the IDF can beat terrorism, and that it\'s only the politicians who are obstructing it.\"
The forum that convened last night is a three-member body composed of Prime Minister Sharon, Foreign Minister Peres, and Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer. Last night, however, Ministers Lieberman, Yeshai, Sharansky, and Shalom were also invited, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha’ul Mofaz and other security leaders briefed the group on the situation. Peres was in favor of a quicker withdrawal, but could not convince Sharon and Ben-Eliezer. In the end, the decision was unanimous. The withdrawal will be implemented first in Beit Jala, which is considered to be \"quiet\" despite the continuing fire on Gilo from nearby Bethlehem and other areas.
It is expected that the army will complete its withdrawal within a week, in time for the Prime Minister\'s visit to U.S. President George Bush in Washington early next month.
The army, for its part, is fuming at the decision. Senior officers note that since the current major offensive began, the number of Arab shooting incidents in Yesha has gone down drastically, and that it will certainly increase if the army withdraws. IDF Intelligence Chief Maj.-Gen. Amos Malka said yesterday that there are serious warnings of impending suicide attacks, and that the Palestinian Authority is doing nothing about arresting the many terrorists walking around freely in its midst. Malka also had criticism for the international community: \"They applauded Arafat too early,\" he said, apparently referring to U.S. President George Bush\'s remarks earlier this month in praise of Arafat\'s actions. \"The PA translated this to mean that it had received a passing grade, and stopped working to thwart terrorism.\"
The Yesha Council was very sharp in its condemnation of the government\'s decision. \"The Cabinet has essentially decided to abandon Israel\'s citizens to the mercies of Arafat and his terrorists,\" read the Council\'s statement this morning. \"The past week has proven that the IDF can beat terrorism, and that it\'s only the politicians who are obstructing it.\"