IDF Intelligence Chief Maj.-Gen. Aharon Ze’evi Farkash recommends that the government not cooperate with the United Nations\' Jenin fact-finding team. Farkash told the government that Israel would pay a certain diplomatic price for non-cooperation, but that working with the UN on this matter would cause far greater strategic damage. Cooperation with the Jenin committee, Farkash went so far as to say, would lead to a reversal of all of the IDF’s achievements during Operation Defensive Shield and would award the PLO a sweeping diplomatic victory.



At this time, however Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is leaning towards the position of Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, who says that Israel must not in any way boycott the UN commission. A legal team appointed by the Prime Minister is set to meet again today in New York with UN leaders, in order to negotiate the fact-finding mission’s mandate. The UN appointees are scheduled to arrive in Israel by Saturday night.