Housing Minister Natan Sharansky calls it a new version of the Oslo Agreement - but that did not stop Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer from agreeing to undertake the new "Gaza and Bethlehem First" agreement with officials of the Palestinian Authority. At a meeting last night, it was agreed that Israel will begin easing restrictions in Gaza and Bethlehem, handing over security control to the PA, and, depending on progress and quiet, withdrawing troops from the areas. The plan also calls on Israel to issue additional work permits for PA laborers inside pre-1967 Israel. If the program is successful, Israel agrees to withdraw its troops from additional PA-controlled areas.
The Yesha Council (Council of Judea, Samaria and Gaza Communities) has strong criticism of the government's consent to go along with the plan. "Precisely when signs of tiredness and surrender begin to appear on the Palestinian side," the Council said in a statement this morning, "that's when the government jumps in to save the Palestinian Authority and its terrorist organizations." The Yesha Council calls on the government to "defeat them, not talk with them, and thus end the war." On the other hand, Environment Minister Tzachi HaNegbi says that the agreement does not contradict Prime Minister Sharon's policy.
Coincidentally or not, the Northern Police District is on high alert today following general warnings of a possibly impending terrorist attack. Checkpoints have been established at the entrances to Afula and Hadera, and elsewhere.
A convoy of IDF vehicles was fired on this morning in Jenin. No one was hurt, but three vehicles were damaged.
The Yesha Council (Council of Judea, Samaria and Gaza Communities) has strong criticism of the government's consent to go along with the plan. "Precisely when signs of tiredness and surrender begin to appear on the Palestinian side," the Council said in a statement this morning, "that's when the government jumps in to save the Palestinian Authority and its terrorist organizations." The Yesha Council calls on the government to "defeat them, not talk with them, and thus end the war." On the other hand, Environment Minister Tzachi HaNegbi says that the agreement does not contradict Prime Minister Sharon's policy.
Coincidentally or not, the Northern Police District is on high alert today following general warnings of a possibly impending terrorist attack. Checkpoints have been established at the entrances to Afula and Hadera, and elsewhere.
A convoy of IDF vehicles was fired on this morning in Jenin. No one was hurt, but three vehicles were damaged.