Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has changed his mind for a third time, and now says he will not travel to Washington next week to meet with U.S. President George Bush. He had announced last week that he would not go, followed a few hours later by a retraction. Sharon's office informed the Americans of the latest decision last night. Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will represent Sharon at the AIPAC conference in Washington next week.
The Cabinet discussed the now-defunct disengagement plan this morning, at the behest of the Shinui Party. Ministers Benny Elon and Avigdor Lieberman walked out of the meeting in protest. A vote will not be held on the plan, as a majority of the ministers object to it - particularly in light of its defeat in the Likud referendum last week.
The Prime Minister gave his ministers a set of homework questions. He asked them for their opinions on whether Israel must present diplomatic initiatives, or whether it can afford to allow the status quo to continue; on what should be done with the synagogues and cemeteries in towns that may be evacuated; on how to fight terrorism more effectively; and more. Sharon said that those who feel that negotiations with the Palestinian Authority must be resumed must state specifically with whom should we speak. The Prime Minister plans to continue his consultations on these and other issues with ministers and MKs in the coming days.
Sharon and Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu were to meet today, for the first time since the referendum. Sharon is said to be miffed at Netanyahu for the latter's lack of active support for the unilateral withdrawal/expulsion plan in the weeks preceding the Likud referendum. Netanyahu staffers say that though their boss expressed public support for the plan, he notified Sharon in advance that he would not take an active role in promoting it.
The Cabinet discussed the now-defunct disengagement plan this morning, at the behest of the Shinui Party. Ministers Benny Elon and Avigdor Lieberman walked out of the meeting in protest. A vote will not be held on the plan, as a majority of the ministers object to it - particularly in light of its defeat in the Likud referendum last week.
The Prime Minister gave his ministers a set of homework questions. He asked them for their opinions on whether Israel must present diplomatic initiatives, or whether it can afford to allow the status quo to continue; on what should be done with the synagogues and cemeteries in towns that may be evacuated; on how to fight terrorism more effectively; and more. Sharon said that those who feel that negotiations with the Palestinian Authority must be resumed must state specifically with whom should we speak. The Prime Minister plans to continue his consultations on these and other issues with ministers and MKs in the coming days.
Sharon and Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu were to meet today, for the first time since the referendum. Sharon is said to be miffed at Netanyahu for the latter's lack of active support for the unilateral withdrawal/expulsion plan in the weeks preceding the Likud referendum. Netanyahu staffers say that though their boss expressed public support for the plan, he notified Sharon in advance that he would not take an active role in promoting it.