Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz said at the funeral of Col. Dror Weinberg last November that Israel had learned its lesson: "We are 'pursuers of peace,' but we have learned our lesson clearly. We will not again be fooled by smooth talk… People of blood and deceit will no longer be our partners in dialogue." Last night, however, he took a somewhat different approach, saying that the upcoming establishment of the new Abu Mazen PA government will be a "genuine turnabout" in Israeli-PA relations. He said that we must wait and see, "with cautious, open, and responsible eyes," what happens in the Palestinian Authority, and added that Israel's war against terrorism continues apace.
Education Minister Limor Livnat, Public Security Minister Tzachi HaNegbi, and others in the Likud expressed guarded pessimism about the new developments. Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said that there is unlikely to be a majority among the Likud government ministers that will approve the Road Map plan. The U.S. is planning to publicize the plan immediately following the presentation of the Abu Mazen government - which will probably be early next week.
The establishment of the Abu Mazen government was held up earlier this week by a disagreement between Yasser Arafat and Abu Mazen - which was resolved yesterday. The main point of contention was Muhammad Dahlan, whom Arafat said he did not want. In the end, Dahlan will not be Minister of Interior, or even have similar authorities, as Abu Mazen originally wanted, but he *will* head the PA's security services.
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said that Israel is formulating some "confidence-building gestures," but that "Abu Mazen and his government will have to fight a non-compromising war against terrorism."
Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin of the Likud visited Shilo and Beit El on Tuesday - the two communities mentioned by Prime Minister Sharon as potential "painful concessions" in a future agreement. He said that the evacuation of thousands of Jews from their homes is an act of transfer, "and as far as I know, the Likud is against transfer." Rivlin participated in laying a cornerstone for a new neighborhood in the southern Shomron community of Shilo. The new neighborhood will comprise 40 new homes - representing an increase of 20% in Shilo's population. Shilo resident and Likud member Natan Englesman said that Rivlin's remarks show that Ariel Sharon remains in the minority within the Likud.
Some Israeli media reported last night that Israel had agreed to end the siege around Yasser Arafat's Mukata compound in Ramallah - but the Prime Minister's Bureau quickly put the lie to this. "The State of Israel has in no way made any commitment whatsoever," it said in a statement today, "regarding Yasser Arafat's freedom of movement, his conditions of office, or his political future." The statement did not say, however, that the siege on the Mukata would continue.
Education Minister Limor Livnat, Public Security Minister Tzachi HaNegbi, and others in the Likud expressed guarded pessimism about the new developments. Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said that there is unlikely to be a majority among the Likud government ministers that will approve the Road Map plan. The U.S. is planning to publicize the plan immediately following the presentation of the Abu Mazen government - which will probably be early next week.
The establishment of the Abu Mazen government was held up earlier this week by a disagreement between Yasser Arafat and Abu Mazen - which was resolved yesterday. The main point of contention was Muhammad Dahlan, whom Arafat said he did not want. In the end, Dahlan will not be Minister of Interior, or even have similar authorities, as Abu Mazen originally wanted, but he *will* head the PA's security services.
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said that Israel is formulating some "confidence-building gestures," but that "Abu Mazen and his government will have to fight a non-compromising war against terrorism."
Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin of the Likud visited Shilo and Beit El on Tuesday - the two communities mentioned by Prime Minister Sharon as potential "painful concessions" in a future agreement. He said that the evacuation of thousands of Jews from their homes is an act of transfer, "and as far as I know, the Likud is against transfer." Rivlin participated in laying a cornerstone for a new neighborhood in the southern Shomron community of Shilo. The new neighborhood will comprise 40 new homes - representing an increase of 20% in Shilo's population. Shilo resident and Likud member Natan Englesman said that Rivlin's remarks show that Ariel Sharon remains in the minority within the Likud.
Some Israeli media reported last night that Israel had agreed to end the siege around Yasser Arafat's Mukata compound in Ramallah - but the Prime Minister's Bureau quickly put the lie to this. "The State of Israel has in no way made any commitment whatsoever," it said in a statement today, "regarding Yasser Arafat's freedom of movement, his conditions of office, or his political future." The statement did not say, however, that the siege on the Mukata would continue.