Minister of Public Security Uzi Landau said this morning that it is no surprise that the world does not take statements made by Israel government leaders seriously. Landau explained that while Prime Minister Ariel Sharon declares Yasser Arafat a terrorist and the one responsible for the attempted smuggling of the \"Karin A\" weapons, the government continued dialogue with PA officials on Sunday, together with US envoy Anthony Zinni.
Landau explained that Israel must send a clear message, one of unity in the government, backed by actions. He added that Likud Party ministers led by Sharon call Arafat a terrorist while Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Labor Party ministers call for continued dialogue with \"Arafat, our peace partner.\" Landau further said that when then-Defense Minister Ariel Sharon was blamed by the government-appointed Kahan Commission for \"indirect responsibility\" of the Sabra and Shatila massacre in 1982, for not anticipating that a massacre was going to occur, he was forced to resign. Landau explained that the architects of the Oslo process should also have anticipated that weapons smuggling and terrorism would result from giving land and weapons to the PLO, and they too must take responsibility.
He pointed out that the threat against Israel will only grow if there is an independent Palestinian state aside Israel. Landau added that permitting the PLO to operate a seaport was a major error. He pointed out that Israel does not really know at present how many boats and weapons were successfully smuggled into the PA since what is known is only the attempts that were thwarted.
Regarding the Temple Mount, Landau said that there is no security problem allowing Jews to visit Judaism\'s holiest site. He said that only diplomatic considerations stand in the way which he feels are not justified. The Temple Mount has been closed to Jews for a year and four months. The last Jew to ascend the mount was then opposition leader Ariel Sharon.
Landau explained that Israel must send a clear message, one of unity in the government, backed by actions. He added that Likud Party ministers led by Sharon call Arafat a terrorist while Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Labor Party ministers call for continued dialogue with \"Arafat, our peace partner.\" Landau further said that when then-Defense Minister Ariel Sharon was blamed by the government-appointed Kahan Commission for \"indirect responsibility\" of the Sabra and Shatila massacre in 1982, for not anticipating that a massacre was going to occur, he was forced to resign. Landau explained that the architects of the Oslo process should also have anticipated that weapons smuggling and terrorism would result from giving land and weapons to the PLO, and they too must take responsibility.
He pointed out that the threat against Israel will only grow if there is an independent Palestinian state aside Israel. Landau added that permitting the PLO to operate a seaport was a major error. He pointed out that Israel does not really know at present how many boats and weapons were successfully smuggled into the PA since what is known is only the attempts that were thwarted.
Regarding the Temple Mount, Landau said that there is no security problem allowing Jews to visit Judaism\'s holiest site. He said that only diplomatic considerations stand in the way which he feels are not justified. The Temple Mount has been closed to Jews for a year and four months. The last Jew to ascend the mount was then opposition leader Ariel Sharon.