The government convened for its weekly meeting this morning. The two National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu ministers, Rehavam Ze\'evi and Avigdor Lieberman, were not present; they are boycotting government meetings in protest of its continuing restraint in the face of ongoing Palestinian aggression. Foreign Minister Shimon Peres (Labor) drew the wrath of Housing Minister Natan Sharansky (Yisrael B\'Aliyah) when he asked his colleagues not to verbally attack Arafat \"because he is admired in the world and by his people.\" Sharansky responded, \"Stalin too was admired by his people.\"
Industry Minister Dalia Itzik (Labor) staunchly defended the policy of restraint, \"even though it costs us a [certain] price.\" Speaking to Prime Minister Sharon, she said that if there is a war, \"you will face the investigative committee alone, without all these ministers and the right-wing who are now pushing you into war.\" Labor and Welfare Minister Shlomo Benizri argued, \"We are in essence paying a tax with the killing of one or two Yesha residents each week. For how much longer? Who determines the limits? The Palestinians are playing us with the salami method; instead of killing us in large numbers in mass attacks, they kill us only one at a time.\"
Later this afternoon, Peres told his Labor Party colleagues that Yasser Arafat made an official decision two days ago to take significant measures to stop Arab terrorism against Israel. Peres admitted that the results on the ground do not bear this out, but said that within a few days, \"we can expect to see Arafat begin arresting Hamas terrorists within the autonomous areas.\" Walking a fine line, Peres said that the government will not deviate from its policy of self-defense, but added, \"Whoever thinks that there is a plan to hit Arafat is mistaken... So are those who think that it is possible to reach a situation of \'no attacks.\'\" Arutz-7\'s Haggai Seri reports that Peres also said that today\'s razing of illegal Arab structures was a mistake, \"because it is hard to explain it to the world.\"
Industry Minister Dalia Itzik (Labor) staunchly defended the policy of restraint, \"even though it costs us a [certain] price.\" Speaking to Prime Minister Sharon, she said that if there is a war, \"you will face the investigative committee alone, without all these ministers and the right-wing who are now pushing you into war.\" Labor and Welfare Minister Shlomo Benizri argued, \"We are in essence paying a tax with the killing of one or two Yesha residents each week. For how much longer? Who determines the limits? The Palestinians are playing us with the salami method; instead of killing us in large numbers in mass attacks, they kill us only one at a time.\"
Later this afternoon, Peres told his Labor Party colleagues that Yasser Arafat made an official decision two days ago to take significant measures to stop Arab terrorism against Israel. Peres admitted that the results on the ground do not bear this out, but said that within a few days, \"we can expect to see Arafat begin arresting Hamas terrorists within the autonomous areas.\" Walking a fine line, Peres said that the government will not deviate from its policy of self-defense, but added, \"Whoever thinks that there is a plan to hit Arafat is mistaken... So are those who think that it is possible to reach a situation of \'no attacks.\'\" Arutz-7\'s Haggai Seri reports that Peres also said that today\'s razing of illegal Arab structures was a mistake, \"because it is hard to explain it to the world.\"