Both sides in the Oslo War remained on tense alert throughout the day today, following a late-night redeployment of Israeli forces towards Bethlehem, Jenin, and Shechem. A tank battalion, accompanied by infantry forces, was deployed in Gush Etzion, and tanks were also reported moving north of Shechem. This was the largest IDF troop movement since the beginning of the violence almost ten months ago, coming in reaction to yesterday\'s mortar rockets on Gilo and the Tunnels Highway area. IDF sources say that a strong Israeli reaction to the attacks on the capital is required, but that at present the government is making do with yet another \"signal\" to the Palestinian Authority to take strong measures against terrorism. The Israeli attack was held up, according to many reports, following American pressure upon the Israeli government. U.S. President George Bush phoned Prime Minister Ariel Sharon last night.
The security cabinet convened for about three hours this morning in Jerusalem, discussing possible reactions to the Palestinian escalation of the past two days. The absence of Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, visiting in London, was quite apparent, although Transportation Minister Ephraim Sneh reportedly impressively defended the pro-restraint position in the face of right-wing opposition.
The ministers did decide on an action plan for the Green Line area, entailing \"stepped-up actions to foil infiltrations, increased operational activity, and vigorous enforcement efforts.\" Security cabinet member Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze\'evi, of the right-wing National Union party, expressed his extreme displeasure today with the fact that no concrete measures are planned against the PA: \"We took two mortar shells, and yet we go on as if nothing happened... The Green Line plan decided on today is expensive and requires much manpower, and I don\'t think it will help us stop terrorism. They will still be able to travel very freely around, and what about the mortars that can be fired above the Green Line? They\'re just doing it to say they did something… And I haven\'t even mentioned the ramifications that this has for the formation of a Palestinian state...\"
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said today, \"We are not in a situation of restraint, as some people call it. We are working according to a policy decided upon by the Cabinet, combining strong strikes against terrorists who are planning and carrying out attacks against us, while preserving Israel\'s diplomatic interests. True, it is hard, but this is the correct way now.\"
The security cabinet convened for about three hours this morning in Jerusalem, discussing possible reactions to the Palestinian escalation of the past two days. The absence of Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, visiting in London, was quite apparent, although Transportation Minister Ephraim Sneh reportedly impressively defended the pro-restraint position in the face of right-wing opposition.
The ministers did decide on an action plan for the Green Line area, entailing \"stepped-up actions to foil infiltrations, increased operational activity, and vigorous enforcement efforts.\" Security cabinet member Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze\'evi, of the right-wing National Union party, expressed his extreme displeasure today with the fact that no concrete measures are planned against the PA: \"We took two mortar shells, and yet we go on as if nothing happened... The Green Line plan decided on today is expensive and requires much manpower, and I don\'t think it will help us stop terrorism. They will still be able to travel very freely around, and what about the mortars that can be fired above the Green Line? They\'re just doing it to say they did something… And I haven\'t even mentioned the ramifications that this has for the formation of a Palestinian state...\"
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said today, \"We are not in a situation of restraint, as some people call it. We are working according to a policy decided upon by the Cabinet, combining strong strikes against terrorists who are planning and carrying out attacks against us, while preserving Israel\'s diplomatic interests. True, it is hard, but this is the correct way now.\"