Just hours after Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom told outgoing Secretary of State Powell that Israel "will not do anything, though, that might damage or harm the security of people of Israel," Sharon told a Knesset committee that Israeli troops would clear out of Palestinian urban areas on election day. The Palestinian Authority is to elect a new chairman on January 9.
Sharon recently has repeatedly insisted Israel would make concessions only after seeing proof that the PA is clamping down on terror. After Powell’s visit, most news analysts estimated that Israel would redeploy soldiers but not withdraw completely.
Sharon also revealed that Israeli and Arab defense officials soon would renew discussions on security arrangements for the upcoming Palestinian elections. He spoke before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
Israeli officials reported Shalom told Powell that if the security coordination succeeds, Israel could discuss with the PA issues concerning the reality after the proposed dismantling of Jewish communities. Those matters include control over the Philadelphia corridor and the transfer of Jewish property.
The government plan to expel Jews from Gaza stipulates that Israel will control the sensitive Philadelphia route so long as Arabs continue to use it for smuggling arms and launching terrorist attacks.
Powell told journalists he was "pleased at what I heard" and added that Sharon and Shalom pledged themselves to cooperate with the PA towards elections. He also implied they had committed to permit East Jerusalem Arabs to vote.
Sharon later stated he favored allowing Jerusalem Arabs to vote in the PA elections, contrary to Foreign Minister Shalom’s observation last week that such a policy would support Palestinian claims to sovereignty over the eastern part of the Holy City.
British leaders also are to speak with Sharon and Shalom later this week. The European Union already has said it will send a delegation to oversee the Palestinian elections.
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Sharon recently has repeatedly insisted Israel would make concessions only after seeing proof that the PA is clamping down on terror. After Powell’s visit, most news analysts estimated that Israel would redeploy soldiers but not withdraw completely.
Sharon also revealed that Israeli and Arab defense officials soon would renew discussions on security arrangements for the upcoming Palestinian elections. He spoke before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
Israeli officials reported Shalom told Powell that if the security coordination succeeds, Israel could discuss with the PA issues concerning the reality after the proposed dismantling of Jewish communities. Those matters include control over the Philadelphia corridor and the transfer of Jewish property.
The government plan to expel Jews from Gaza stipulates that Israel will control the sensitive Philadelphia route so long as Arabs continue to use it for smuggling arms and launching terrorist attacks.
Powell told journalists he was "pleased at what I heard" and added that Sharon and Shalom pledged themselves to cooperate with the PA towards elections. He also implied they had committed to permit East Jerusalem Arabs to vote.
Sharon later stated he favored allowing Jerusalem Arabs to vote in the PA elections, contrary to Foreign Minister Shalom’s observation last week that such a policy would support Palestinian claims to sovereignty over the eastern part of the Holy City.
British leaders also are to speak with Sharon and Shalom later this week. The European Union already has said it will send a delegation to oversee the Palestinian elections.
Click here for our free Daily Newsletter from Israel