Foreign Minister Shimon Peres is planning on introducing a new document to the government for a cabinet vote entitled, “Political Horizon: A Palestinian State First.” He will first run it by Labor party leaders this afternoon. The document, composed by Peres and PLO leader Abu Ala, details a plan that would immediately give the Palestinians a state in areas now under their control, regardless of whether or not the PLO\'s violence stops. According to the plan, once a Palestinian state is recognized by Israel, further negotiations would take place between the two sides leading to a permanent agreement.
PLO chief Yasser Arafat surprised listeners last week when, for the first time in 40 years as head of the terrorist organization, he named the man who would succeed him when he “disappears:” Abu Ala. In addition, he said that Abu Mazen would become the head of Fatah chief, but that both would be only temporary appointments until elections are held.
The “Palestinian State First” title is a reference to the nickname given to the initial agreements of the 1993 Oslo Accords, “Gaza and Jericho First,” in which Israel was to abandon those areas almost immediately. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has already expressed his objection to the very drafting of such a document at this time, calling the plan “dangerous.” Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer has also expressed his disdain for the agreement.
PLO chief Yasser Arafat surprised listeners last week when, for the first time in 40 years as head of the terrorist organization, he named the man who would succeed him when he “disappears:” Abu Ala. In addition, he said that Abu Mazen would become the head of Fatah chief, but that both would be only temporary appointments until elections are held.
The “Palestinian State First” title is a reference to the nickname given to the initial agreements of the 1993 Oslo Accords, “Gaza and Jericho First,” in which Israel was to abandon those areas almost immediately. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has already expressed his objection to the very drafting of such a document at this time, calling the plan “dangerous.” Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer has also expressed his disdain for the agreement.