What will be the end? This was the question which Arutz 7 Editor Haggai Segal posed to Tourism Minister and Security Cabinet member Rechavam Ze\'evy in today\'s news magazine.
Rechavam Ze\'evy: \"The end will be that the Jewish nation will establish roots and hold on to its land; the Land will belong to the People of Israel, and only to them.\"
Haggai Segal: When will happen?
RZ: It depends on us - civilians, soldiers, government officials - all of us.
HS: Despite protests from persons like yourself [who demand more decisive actions], Ariel Sharon is clinging to a policy of slow, pinpoint retaliations against specific terrorists. He is not launching an offensive against Arafat and the entire terrorist infrastructure... But recently, he is striking at the terrorists more. Does this encourage you that Sharon may be coming around?
RZ: ... It doesn\'t encourage me that Sharon may be coming around, but it does encourage me that the conflict is being forced to a point of escalation. Then, without Sharon wanting it, and despite the brakes that Peres is applying, we may find ourselves in a real confrontation with the Palestinians. This will enable us to teach them the lesson that they need and are waiting for a long time... I suggested to Barak and to Sharon that we don\'t have to retake the [PLO-controlled] areas. Rather hit them hard and pressure them in their \'soft spots\' - they have many such spots. Then, when they scream, we set rules and conditions.
HS: Do you have an audience with the Prime Minister to discuss these issues?
RZ: Yes, we talk, and he hears me out. But he very much values the national unity government. He sees it as a strategic asset of prime importance. He is concerned that a change of policy in the direction that I suggest will cause Peres and his friends in Labor to quit the coalition - even though it\'s not clear that all of them would leave. Therefore, even against his own fundamental, personal beliefs - and I know the man for tens of years - he runs things in a way that keeps Peres satisfied. In other words, not to act, not to respond, not to fight, not to initiate, rather, talk about it.
HS: Is Sharon waiting to reach such point where even if he strikes according to your plan, he will have Peres\' support?
RZ: When Sharon pursues the plan that we suggest, Peres can get up and quit the government. It may very well be that only some of them will leave and Labor will split. The Labor party is not currently in a situation where one person commands the respect and obedience of the entire party. The party is very divided, and in a very difficult position. I\'m not rejoicing at the weakness of my rival when I say that, but we don\'t have to be overly concerned if they leave the coalition, because a strong stable government will remain if part or even all of Labor leaves. Then, Sharon can implement a policy that he believes in, preached for, and acted on throughout his entire life.
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres for his part had harsh words for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s policy of restraint, insisting that the government should immediately return to the negotiating table with the PA. Peres stated that the current government policy was not heading in any direction, and there is a need to come to an agreement with the PA, divide the land, and create a border between the nations. Peres stated if this were not done, Israel would soon be faced with the demographic reality of an Arab majority. Peres made his comments in a forum with several cabinet ministers.
Commentator Jay Shapiro told Arutz Sheva today that one of Sharon\'s main problems is that there hasn\'t been a general Knesset election since May, 1999. The election which brought Sharon to office with an unprecedented 62% majority was a race for Prime Minister. But the balance in the Knesset does not reflect the public\'s change since Camp David and the Rosh Hashanah mini war.
Rechavam Ze\'evy: \"The end will be that the Jewish nation will establish roots and hold on to its land; the Land will belong to the People of Israel, and only to them.\"
Haggai Segal: When will happen?
RZ: It depends on us - civilians, soldiers, government officials - all of us.
HS: Despite protests from persons like yourself [who demand more decisive actions], Ariel Sharon is clinging to a policy of slow, pinpoint retaliations against specific terrorists. He is not launching an offensive against Arafat and the entire terrorist infrastructure... But recently, he is striking at the terrorists more. Does this encourage you that Sharon may be coming around?
RZ: ... It doesn\'t encourage me that Sharon may be coming around, but it does encourage me that the conflict is being forced to a point of escalation. Then, without Sharon wanting it, and despite the brakes that Peres is applying, we may find ourselves in a real confrontation with the Palestinians. This will enable us to teach them the lesson that they need and are waiting for a long time... I suggested to Barak and to Sharon that we don\'t have to retake the [PLO-controlled] areas. Rather hit them hard and pressure them in their \'soft spots\' - they have many such spots. Then, when they scream, we set rules and conditions.
HS: Do you have an audience with the Prime Minister to discuss these issues?
RZ: Yes, we talk, and he hears me out. But he very much values the national unity government. He sees it as a strategic asset of prime importance. He is concerned that a change of policy in the direction that I suggest will cause Peres and his friends in Labor to quit the coalition - even though it\'s not clear that all of them would leave. Therefore, even against his own fundamental, personal beliefs - and I know the man for tens of years - he runs things in a way that keeps Peres satisfied. In other words, not to act, not to respond, not to fight, not to initiate, rather, talk about it.
HS: Is Sharon waiting to reach such point where even if he strikes according to your plan, he will have Peres\' support?
RZ: When Sharon pursues the plan that we suggest, Peres can get up and quit the government. It may very well be that only some of them will leave and Labor will split. The Labor party is not currently in a situation where one person commands the respect and obedience of the entire party. The party is very divided, and in a very difficult position. I\'m not rejoicing at the weakness of my rival when I say that, but we don\'t have to be overly concerned if they leave the coalition, because a strong stable government will remain if part or even all of Labor leaves. Then, Sharon can implement a policy that he believes in, preached for, and acted on throughout his entire life.
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres for his part had harsh words for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s policy of restraint, insisting that the government should immediately return to the negotiating table with the PA. Peres stated that the current government policy was not heading in any direction, and there is a need to come to an agreement with the PA, divide the land, and create a border between the nations. Peres stated if this were not done, Israel would soon be faced with the demographic reality of an Arab majority. Peres made his comments in a forum with several cabinet ministers.
Commentator Jay Shapiro told Arutz Sheva today that one of Sharon\'s main problems is that there hasn\'t been a general Knesset election since May, 1999. The election which brought Sharon to office with an unprecedented 62% majority was a race for Prime Minister. But the balance in the Knesset does not reflect the public\'s change since Camp David and the Rosh Hashanah mini war.
\"Much has happened since May, 1999. It\'s not clear who Peres represents anymore. It is very likely that if elections were held today, Labor would not be a serious partner in the coalition. Sharon is forced to balance a government based on a Knesset which no longer represents public sentiment. If Sharon wanted to show true leadership now, he would call for a general election, right in the middle of all that is happening. It will do Sharon good both politically and internationally.\"