Addressing a political rally on Monday, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was critical of the Labor Party for seeking approval of Israel's Arab neighbors. He hinted at a recent exchange of letters between the Labor chairman and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. In a letter from Mubarak upon Amram Mitzna’s victory in Labor party primaries, the Egyptian leader congratulated Amram Mitzna and wished him success in his “mission to bring peace and stability to the region”. Mitzna was also praised by PLO leader Yasser Arafat and by editors in the Lebanese press upon his election. On Sunday, Yossi Katz, of the Labor party, traveled to Egypt, where he presented a letter to President Hosni Mubarak from Amram Mitzna. Reacting to the Prime Minister’s statements, the new Labor leader said that “Egypt is a large and important state, it is only natural that we visit there.”



In other news related to Israel’s neighbors, IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon stated the ongoing conflict with the PA may endanger peace agreements with Jordan and Egypt, as the conflict develops. The conflict with the Palestinian Authority, according to the Chief of Staff, has long-term consequences for Israel, its security and its place in the region.