Russia and Israeli government sources disagree about the presence of international observers in Israel. Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said today that his country objects to the stationing of observers against Israel\'s will. He made the clarification following yesterday\'s call by the G-8 Foreign Ministers for such a presence, conditional on the agreement of both sides.
On the other hand, Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said today that if Israel were forced to accept observers, \"I would prefer that they be American.\" The Prime Minister\'s Office has not yet released a statement objecting to Ben-Eliezer\'s remarks. Nationalist camp sources demand that Sharon take a strong stand against all forms of international intervention, noting in this connection the cooperation between UNIFIL and Hizbullah on the northern border in recent months and years.
On the other hand, Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said today that if Israel were forced to accept observers, \"I would prefer that they be American.\" The Prime Minister\'s Office has not yet released a statement objecting to Ben-Eliezer\'s remarks. Nationalist camp sources demand that Sharon take a strong stand against all forms of international intervention, noting in this connection the cooperation between UNIFIL and Hizbullah on the northern border in recent months and years.