Foreign Minister Shimon Peres is in favor of ending the government\'s long-time policy of \"no negotiations under fire.\" The Foreign Ministry gave Prime Minister Sharon and the security cabinet this week a series of recommendations for dealing with the current warfare, both militarily and politically. As opposed to the more militant views expressed in the IDF, by Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha\'ul Mofaz, Intelligence Chief Maj.-Gen. Amos Malka, and others, the Foreign Ministry takes a dovish approach that includes the following:
* no massive military action against the PA even in response to large-scale terrorist attacks;
* nothing that will give the appearance of seeking to capture PA territory or to depose Yasser Arafat;
* no rhetorical provocations;
* no attacks against PA infrastructure and institutions;
* initiation of direct talks with the Palestinians for a final-status agreement;
* implementation of the existing interim agreements;
* implementation of the \"third withdrawal\" from a significant percentage of areas in Yesha.
The Foreign Ministry document even calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state in all areas currently under Palestinian control. The Ministry chiefly fears that an escalation of the hostilities could lead to regional deterioration, creating a crisis in Israel\'s relations with Egypt and Jordan.
Peres himself told Labor party ministers yesterday, \"Until now our contacts with the Palestinians have been just the entree, but now we have to move to the main course - direct and open negotiations with the Palestinians in order to find solutions.\" Peres\' spokesmen later denied that he made the remarks, but Labor ministers insist that he said them.
Ninety percent of Israelis support the policy of \"targeted killing\" of terrorists. A Mutagim Institute survey commissioned this week by the weekly Makor Rishon further reveals that 27% support the assassination of Yasser Arafat himself. 80% believe that the army has the right to forcefully enter Area A [under full PA control] in order to prevent terrorist attacks.
Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef, spiritual leader of the Shas party, is also critical of the Prime Minister’s policy of restraint. In a sermon he gave last night in anticipation of Tisha B’Av, Rabbi Yosef said that Sharon is afraid of the \"nations of the world,\" and is therefore not living up to his campaign promises to bring peace and security.
* no massive military action against the PA even in response to large-scale terrorist attacks;
* nothing that will give the appearance of seeking to capture PA territory or to depose Yasser Arafat;
* no rhetorical provocations;
* no attacks against PA infrastructure and institutions;
* initiation of direct talks with the Palestinians for a final-status agreement;
* implementation of the existing interim agreements;
* implementation of the \"third withdrawal\" from a significant percentage of areas in Yesha.
The Foreign Ministry document even calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state in all areas currently under Palestinian control. The Ministry chiefly fears that an escalation of the hostilities could lead to regional deterioration, creating a crisis in Israel\'s relations with Egypt and Jordan.
Peres himself told Labor party ministers yesterday, \"Until now our contacts with the Palestinians have been just the entree, but now we have to move to the main course - direct and open negotiations with the Palestinians in order to find solutions.\" Peres\' spokesmen later denied that he made the remarks, but Labor ministers insist that he said them.
Ninety percent of Israelis support the policy of \"targeted killing\" of terrorists. A Mutagim Institute survey commissioned this week by the weekly Makor Rishon further reveals that 27% support the assassination of Yasser Arafat himself. 80% believe that the army has the right to forcefully enter Area A [under full PA control] in order to prevent terrorist attacks.
Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef, spiritual leader of the Shas party, is also critical of the Prime Minister’s policy of restraint. In a sermon he gave last night in anticipation of Tisha B’Av, Rabbi Yosef said that Sharon is afraid of the \"nations of the world,\" and is therefore not living up to his campaign promises to bring peace and security.