A dispute of sorts has developed amongst top Likud government ministers. Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz, who will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on Sunday, will tell him that the PA must begin to take concrete action against terrorism before Israel carries out any "gestures" towards the PA. Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, on the other hand, who is scheduled to meet with Powell tomorrow night, says that Israel should make some gestures without pre-conditions in order to help Abu Mazen.



Powell will also meet on Sunday with Prime Minister Sharon, as well as with Abu Mazen. Spokesmen in Washington said that Israel should make gestures that do not detract from its security, such as dismantling outposts and easing some restrictions. However, Jerusalem officials say that Powell will not come down too strongly on Prime Minister Sharon on this matter.



Israel Media Watch notes the following Letter to the Editor in The New York Times:

Re "Ariel Sharon's Delaying Tactic" (editorial, May 7):

Why does America tiptoe on eggshells in carrying out its benevolent plans on behalf of desperate, leaderless Iraq (lest we be called imperialists), yet when democratic Israel's prime minister hesitates to swallow whole a "road map" being rammed down his throat by America and the far from benevolent European Union, United Nations and Russia, we expect docile submission?



More Mideast double standards.



Diane Krieger, Torrance, Calif., May 7, 2003