Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Alexandria, Egypt yesterday. Mubarak expressed support for Ben-Eliezer\'s new \"pilot plan,\" which calls for Israel to coordinate security activities with the PLO in a joint effort to combat terrorism. If the security cooperation is successful in an initial trial region, then the model will be expanded to other areas in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza. Ben-Eliezer proposed that the initiative begin in Gaza, located in Israel’s southern coastal region.
In regard to Yasser Arafat, Ben-Eliezer explained to Mubarak that the PLO-leader cannot remain in power. While Mubarak declared his support for Arafat as the leader of the Palestinian people, Israeli officials say that in private the Egyptians have agreed that Arafat must step down.
In regard to Yasser Arafat, Ben-Eliezer explained to Mubarak that the PLO-leader cannot remain in power. While Mubarak declared his support for Arafat as the leader of the Palestinian people, Israeli officials say that in private the Egyptians have agreed that Arafat must step down.