Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been making great efforts these past few days to make Shimon Peres feel comfortable in the government and to head off his possible resignation. Sharon speaks to Peres several times a day by phone, and the Prime Minister has invited him to accompany him on security-briefing trips. A diplomatic source told Ha\'aretz that Sharon attributes great importance to the national unity government, and that he wants to counter-balance the pressure Peres is facing from his Labor colleagues to quit. Sharon still refuses to allow Peres to meet with Abu Ala and Saeb Erekat, as they are \"too close to Arafat,\" but will allow him to meet with other PA officials.
Sharon gave his approval today for 5,000 Arabs from the PA to enter Israel for work. Peres said that 30,000 should be allowed in, in accordance with General Security Service recommendations, but Sharon said that this must be done gradually, in order to judge the ramifications.
Sharon gave his approval today for 5,000 Arabs from the PA to enter Israel for work. Peres said that 30,000 should be allowed in, in accordance with General Security Service recommendations, but Sharon said that this must be done gradually, in order to judge the ramifications.