It\'s still unclear whether Israel does or does not agree to an increased CIA presence to oversee security measures. In light of greater pressure for international observers, as expressed at the G-8 conference, some reports last night and this morning were that Israel had agreed \"in principle\" to the idea advanced by Egyptian President Mubarak, and that the proposal now awaits the consent of the Americans. The CIA was originally assigned to oversee the implementation of security aspects of the Wye Agreement of 1998. However, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee today that such reports were nothing more than “rumors and speculation.\" He said that a formal proposal had not yet been presented to the government, adding that he would not reject such a plan outright. Sharon emphasized again that he remains adamantly opposed to an international observer force in Judea and Samaria.
Sharon said today, following yesterday\'s Likud Central Committee session at which Binyamin Netanyahu\'s anti-restraint policies received a much warmer welcome than did Sharon\'s pro-restraint line, that he will \"not take the nation to an unnecessary war because some people yelled and shouted.\" Last night, as well, in response to shouts of opposition during his speech, Sharon responded angrily, \"You scream, I\'ll fight terrorism.\" He said that his plan contains three elements: Immediate, short-range responses to attacks; active defense in Israeli-controlled areas, especially of roads; and active thwarting of terrorists and attacks. He explained that his policy is based on military and diplomatic considerations, noting that \"nothing is more important than unity for Israel\'s security.\" However, analysts continue to surmise that a major \"successful\" terrorist attack - such as the one that was prevented in Haifa yesterday - could lead to a major Israeli offensive.
Dr. Daniel Pipes, director of the Philadelphia-based Middle East Forum, has some suggestions for Sharon that fall somewhat short of war - and other that don\'t. Pipes, editor of the Middle East Quarterly, wrote in The Jerusalem Post last week that Israel must take more active steps, such as: \"Bury suicide bombers in potter\'s fields rather than deliver their bodies to relatives (who turn their funerals into frenzied demonstrations). Freeze the financial assets of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, the PLO, and the PA. Prevent PA officials (including Arafat) from returning to the PA. Permit no transportation of people or goods beyond basic necessities. Shut off utilities to the PA.\" Pipes continued with another list to follow this one: \"Implement the death penalty against murderers. Seize weapons from the PA and make sure no new ones reach it. Re-occupy areas from which gunfire or mortars are shot. Raze the PA\'s illegal offices in Jerusalem, its security infrastructure and villages from which attacks are launched. Capture or otherwise dispose of the PA leadership. Destroy the PA. Reach separate deals with each Palestinian town or village.\"
Sharon said today, following yesterday\'s Likud Central Committee session at which Binyamin Netanyahu\'s anti-restraint policies received a much warmer welcome than did Sharon\'s pro-restraint line, that he will \"not take the nation to an unnecessary war because some people yelled and shouted.\" Last night, as well, in response to shouts of opposition during his speech, Sharon responded angrily, \"You scream, I\'ll fight terrorism.\" He said that his plan contains three elements: Immediate, short-range responses to attacks; active defense in Israeli-controlled areas, especially of roads; and active thwarting of terrorists and attacks. He explained that his policy is based on military and diplomatic considerations, noting that \"nothing is more important than unity for Israel\'s security.\" However, analysts continue to surmise that a major \"successful\" terrorist attack - such as the one that was prevented in Haifa yesterday - could lead to a major Israeli offensive.
Dr. Daniel Pipes, director of the Philadelphia-based Middle East Forum, has some suggestions for Sharon that fall somewhat short of war - and other that don\'t. Pipes, editor of the Middle East Quarterly, wrote in The Jerusalem Post last week that Israel must take more active steps, such as: \"Bury suicide bombers in potter\'s fields rather than deliver their bodies to relatives (who turn their funerals into frenzied demonstrations). Freeze the financial assets of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, the PLO, and the PA. Prevent PA officials (including Arafat) from returning to the PA. Permit no transportation of people or goods beyond basic necessities. Shut off utilities to the PA.\" Pipes continued with another list to follow this one: \"Implement the death penalty against murderers. Seize weapons from the PA and make sure no new ones reach it. Re-occupy areas from which gunfire or mortars are shot. Raze the PA\'s illegal offices in Jerusalem, its security infrastructure and villages from which attacks are launched. Capture or otherwise dispose of the PA leadership. Destroy the PA. Reach separate deals with each Palestinian town or village.\"