The government\'s reaction to all the above? The continuation of diplomatic talks. Foreign Minister Shimon Peres met in Cairo today with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and later in Jordan with King Abdullah, to whom he presented Israel\'s objections to the peace plan proposed by the two Arab leaders. Israel objects to a renewal of talks based on former Prime Minister Ehud Barak\'s Camp David concessions, and does not accept a blanket ban on Jewish construction in Yesha.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak made an unusual appearance after his meeting with Peres, dramatically announcing that the Palestinians had agreed to a ceasefire; he did not say when it would begin, but stated that four weeks afterwards, the Israelis and the Palestinians would renew diplomatic negotiations. Peres, in turn, said that no agreement had been signed, and that \"We are talking, at best, about the beginning of a dialogue.\" Diplomatic sources in Jerusalem are skeptical about the implementation of a ceasefire.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon also talked with King Abdullah today, and said that there must be a complete end to all violence before Israel will start negotiations with the Palestinians. However, Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Mussa, basing himself on remarks by Peres, said that Israel and the Palestinians are in fact conducting \"direct talks on the subject of a ceasefire agreement… and also regarding the renewal of negotiations.\"
Itim News Agency reports, in the name of a senior PA figure who wishes to remain anonymous, that a body will be established to enforce Palestinian National Security Council decisions. He claims that its main task will be to stop the Arab mortar fire on Israeli towns.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak made an unusual appearance after his meeting with Peres, dramatically announcing that the Palestinians had agreed to a ceasefire; he did not say when it would begin, but stated that four weeks afterwards, the Israelis and the Palestinians would renew diplomatic negotiations. Peres, in turn, said that no agreement had been signed, and that \"We are talking, at best, about the beginning of a dialogue.\" Diplomatic sources in Jerusalem are skeptical about the implementation of a ceasefire.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon also talked with King Abdullah today, and said that there must be a complete end to all violence before Israel will start negotiations with the Palestinians. However, Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Mussa, basing himself on remarks by Peres, said that Israel and the Palestinians are in fact conducting \"direct talks on the subject of a ceasefire agreement… and also regarding the renewal of negotiations.\"
Itim News Agency reports, in the name of a senior PA figure who wishes to remain anonymous, that a body will be established to enforce Palestinian National Security Council decisions. He claims that its main task will be to stop the Arab mortar fire on Israeli towns.