The Ministry of Public Security released on Sunday two documents confiscated from Sari Nusseibeh\'s Al-Quds University office. Public Security Minister Uzi Landau closed Nusseibeh\'s Jerusalem office last Tuesday. Landau said that though the office was located on the university campus, it was, in fact, being used in the service of the PLO - in violation of the Oslo Agreements, which forbid activity of a foreign entity in Jerusalem.
At Sunday\'s cabinet session, Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said that closing Nusseibeh\'s office was a strategic mistake, since he is considered a voice of moderation in the Palestinian leadership. Foreign Minister Shimon Peres voiced similar criticism last night. However, Prime Minister Sharon clarified at the Sunday government meeting that both the Oslo Agreements and Israeli Law forbid PLO activity in Jerusalem. Sharon said: \"This is a government decision and so it will remain. The university will continue to function, but the office will remain closed since it has served as PA headquarters since the closing of the Orient House.\" Israel closed the Orient House following the Sbarro pizzeria suicide bombing last August that claimed the lives of 15 Israelis.
Minister Landau said that the Defense Minister\'s criticism proves that he had not been updated regarding the gravity of the violations that were going on in the university office, located in the heart of Jerusalem. The Public Security Ministry released on Sunday two documents from among the crates that were confiscated last week. The documents reveal close ties between Nusseibeh and Jabril Rajoub\'s forces, as well as with Iran. In one letter, Nusseibeh responded positively to a request by Jabril Rajoub to send his fighters to the university for training. In another letter, Nusseibeh attempted to organize a \"summer camp\" in Iran for university students.
Landau said that Nusseibeh is not the moderate that some Israeli politicians believe him to be. He noted that during the 1991 Gulf War, Nusseibeh contacted Iraqi intelligence officials to help direct the Scud rocket attacks on Israel. The Public Security Ministry announced that more documents from Nusseibeh\'s office would be released once authorization is granted by the Israel Police.
At Sunday\'s cabinet session, Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said that closing Nusseibeh\'s office was a strategic mistake, since he is considered a voice of moderation in the Palestinian leadership. Foreign Minister Shimon Peres voiced similar criticism last night. However, Prime Minister Sharon clarified at the Sunday government meeting that both the Oslo Agreements and Israeli Law forbid PLO activity in Jerusalem. Sharon said: \"This is a government decision and so it will remain. The university will continue to function, but the office will remain closed since it has served as PA headquarters since the closing of the Orient House.\" Israel closed the Orient House following the Sbarro pizzeria suicide bombing last August that claimed the lives of 15 Israelis.
Minister Landau said that the Defense Minister\'s criticism proves that he had not been updated regarding the gravity of the violations that were going on in the university office, located in the heart of Jerusalem. The Public Security Ministry released on Sunday two documents from among the crates that were confiscated last week. The documents reveal close ties between Nusseibeh and Jabril Rajoub\'s forces, as well as with Iran. In one letter, Nusseibeh responded positively to a request by Jabril Rajoub to send his fighters to the university for training. In another letter, Nusseibeh attempted to organize a \"summer camp\" in Iran for university students.
Landau said that Nusseibeh is not the moderate that some Israeli politicians believe him to be. He noted that during the 1991 Gulf War, Nusseibeh contacted Iraqi intelligence officials to help direct the Scud rocket attacks on Israel. The Public Security Ministry announced that more documents from Nusseibeh\'s office would be released once authorization is granted by the Israel Police.