Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is scheduled to depart for a short visit to the U.S. tonight. Bush invited him for what many see as a briefing in anticipation of the American attack on Iraq; the American president is expected to strongly request that Sharon not retaliate in case Iraq attacks Israel. U.S. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld said today that he had ordered American army commanders to prepare for war on short notice. He said that emphasis should be placed on precise weaponry, improved intelligence, and quick deployment of forces.
In addition to pressure regarding Iraq and restrictions on the Arab population, the Americans are also reportedly trying to get Israel to withdraw from at least one more Arab city in Judea and Samaria, as well as to transfer more tax monies to the Palestinian Authority. Deputy Prime Minister Natan Sharansky (Yisrael B'Aliyah) spoke up against the transfer of funds to the PA at today's Cabinet meeting. “Where is our sense of logic and decency?" asked Sharansky. "We are fighting a war here and paying our enemy for the privilege! If the funds were to reach the Palestinian people, and not to bolster Arafat's autonomy of terror, a case could be made for such a transfer - but with the complete lack of PA accountability to date, I see no justification whatsoever for this transfer of funds."
In addition to pressure regarding Iraq and restrictions on the Arab population, the Americans are also reportedly trying to get Israel to withdraw from at least one more Arab city in Judea and Samaria, as well as to transfer more tax monies to the Palestinian Authority. Deputy Prime Minister Natan Sharansky (Yisrael B'Aliyah) spoke up against the transfer of funds to the PA at today's Cabinet meeting. “Where is our sense of logic and decency?" asked Sharansky. "We are fighting a war here and paying our enemy for the privilege! If the funds were to reach the Palestinian people, and not to bolster Arafat's autonomy of terror, a case could be made for such a transfer - but with the complete lack of PA accountability to date, I see no justification whatsoever for this transfer of funds."