The new government convened for its first meeting this morning. Prime Minister Sharon, known for his punctuality, made sure to begin exactly on time, even before some of the ministers had arrived. Former Police Commissioner Rafi Peled officially took over from Yossi Kucik as Director-General of the Prime Minister\'s Office after the meeting.
Sharon described the five principles of his policy vis-a-vis the Palestinians:
* A sense of security for Israeli citizens must be restored;
* Palestinian violence must cease, without thereby allowing the Palestinians diplomatic gains;
* The danger of internationalizing the conflict with the Palestinians must be reduced;
* The chances for regional deterioration [leading to war] must be reduced;
* All chances for returning to negotiations after the cessation of violence must be maintained.
Sharon asked the ministers to show up for meetings on time, to speak politely at the meetings, and to speak out only on their own ministries\' affairs. He mentioned some of his pet projects, including desalination and aid to young couples for the purchase of homes. Six ministerial committees were decided upon: The defense-security committee will be headed by Sharon, and will include four ministers from each of Likud and Labor, three from Shas (unless the NRP or the Center party joins the government), and Rehavam Ze\'evi and Natan Sharansky. A three-or-four man mini-security cabinet will also be formed. The other committees formed today include the economic-social committee, headed by Sharon; the legislative committee headed by Justice Minister Shetreet; one on personal legislative proposals, and another for economics, both under Finance Minister Shalom; and the Audit Committee, headed by Minister Tzippy Livni.
Minister Livni told Arutz-7 after the meeting that the most interesting part of her first government meeting was hearing the briefing by IDF Intelligence Chief Maj.-Gen. Amos Malka. Malka said that the Palestinians have not succeeded in turning their violence into a diplomatic achievement, and that a further escalation is foreseen. He also said that the Palestinians want to open channels of dialogue while continuing the intifada at the same time. As far as the Bush Administration is concerned, Malka said, talk of a final-status agreement in the coming months is simply not relevant. U.S. President George Bush said yesterday that Arafat apparently does not want to make progress towards a final-status settlement with Israel. He told the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations that he will make it clear to Arafat that he must significantly reduce the level of violence in Judea and Samaria. Bush said that he accepts Prime Minister Sharon\'s principle of \"no negotiations under fire.\"
Minister Livni said that regarding the closure, \"there was really no argument [among the government ministers]. It is not a new idea, and everyone agreed that we should try to ensure that the civilian population does not suffer more than is necessary.\" She said that it was interesting to hear the different extremes, \"from Avigdor Lieberman suggesting that the government cut off all contact with Arafat until the intifada ends, and try to seek out other local leaders instead, while Peres said other things...\" Lieberman, of National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu, also said at the meeting that the many roads that have been closed to Jews should be re-opened.
Sharon described the five principles of his policy vis-a-vis the Palestinians:
* A sense of security for Israeli citizens must be restored;
* Palestinian violence must cease, without thereby allowing the Palestinians diplomatic gains;
* The danger of internationalizing the conflict with the Palestinians must be reduced;
* The chances for regional deterioration [leading to war] must be reduced;
* All chances for returning to negotiations after the cessation of violence must be maintained.
Sharon asked the ministers to show up for meetings on time, to speak politely at the meetings, and to speak out only on their own ministries\' affairs. He mentioned some of his pet projects, including desalination and aid to young couples for the purchase of homes. Six ministerial committees were decided upon: The defense-security committee will be headed by Sharon, and will include four ministers from each of Likud and Labor, three from Shas (unless the NRP or the Center party joins the government), and Rehavam Ze\'evi and Natan Sharansky. A three-or-four man mini-security cabinet will also be formed. The other committees formed today include the economic-social committee, headed by Sharon; the legislative committee headed by Justice Minister Shetreet; one on personal legislative proposals, and another for economics, both under Finance Minister Shalom; and the Audit Committee, headed by Minister Tzippy Livni.
Minister Livni told Arutz-7 after the meeting that the most interesting part of her first government meeting was hearing the briefing by IDF Intelligence Chief Maj.-Gen. Amos Malka. Malka said that the Palestinians have not succeeded in turning their violence into a diplomatic achievement, and that a further escalation is foreseen. He also said that the Palestinians want to open channels of dialogue while continuing the intifada at the same time. As far as the Bush Administration is concerned, Malka said, talk of a final-status agreement in the coming months is simply not relevant. U.S. President George Bush said yesterday that Arafat apparently does not want to make progress towards a final-status settlement with Israel. He told the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations that he will make it clear to Arafat that he must significantly reduce the level of violence in Judea and Samaria. Bush said that he accepts Prime Minister Sharon\'s principle of \"no negotiations under fire.\"
Minister Livni said that regarding the closure, \"there was really no argument [among the government ministers]. It is not a new idea, and everyone agreed that we should try to ensure that the civilian population does not suffer more than is necessary.\" She said that it was interesting to hear the different extremes, \"from Avigdor Lieberman suggesting that the government cut off all contact with Arafat until the intifada ends, and try to seek out other local leaders instead, while Peres said other things...\" Lieberman, of National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu, also said at the meeting that the many roads that have been closed to Jews should be re-opened.