The Newsweek article in which Ariel Sharon's poll consultant Kalman Gayer said that Sharon would accept a compromise in Jerusalem and a PA state in 90% of Judea and Samaria in the framework of a permanent agreement continues to make waves. Sharon himself vociferously denied any plan to accept a compromise in Jerusalem - but said nothing about Gayer's other remarks.
Sharon issued a statement of denial, saying, "The remarks attributed to Kalman Gayer absolutely contradict my positions and my views... they are complete nonsense. United Jerusalem will remain Israel's capital forever. The Road Map is the diplomatic plan that will lead Israel in the coming years, and whoever says otherwise does so on his own behalf and in complete contradiction of my position."
Gayer was also quoted in Newsweek as saying that Sharon essentially plans another unilateral disengagement from half of Judea and Samaria. The article states: "In the meantime, Sharon wants to 'lay the contours of an agreement with the Palestinians,' according to Gayer, by creating a Palestinian state in half the West Bank and implementing confidence-building measures." Sharon did not relate to this in his denial.
The Newsweek article has touched off a media debate on Jerusalem. Binyamin Netanyahu, the front-runner in next week's vote for Likud Party leader, was asked today if he believes that the Arab-populated neighborhoods of Jerusalem should remain Israeli. Netanyahu responded, "Should the Arab neighborhoods of Acco [Acre] remain Israeli? ... Yes, certainly they should. There is no purpose in volunteering concessions at this point, because if you do, you know where you begin, but you have no idea where you might end."
Netanyahu further said that Sharon and Kadima "are planning the mother of all retreats."
Chaim Ramon, a Knesset Member who left the Labor Party to join Kadima, told Army Radio that he believes Israel should not control the Arab-populated neighborhoods adjacent to Jerusalem under the final-status agreement.
Justice Minister Tzippy Livny, a senior member of Kadima, refused to relate to the question, saying that the borders will be drawn in an agreement between the two sides, not in radio interviews.
IMRA reported that the Israel Broadcasting Authority's Washington correspondent Yaron Dekel explained on Israel Radio that the Newsweek item will not hurt Prime Minister Sharon - because the Israeli public thinks Sharon is a liar. "Those on the Right will think that his talk about a Palestinian state and Jerusalem is a lie, and the Left will think his denials are a lie," Dekel said. With everyone preferring to hear what they want to hear, Sharon will not lose votes, Dekel theorized.
In other election news, Omri Sharon's request to have his sentencing postponed until after the election has been turned down. Sharon, an MK of Kadima and son of the prime minister, was convicted last month in a plea bargain arrangement of violating the campaign finance law and of lying under oath. He faces a possible jail sentence, and asked that the sentencing be postponed so as not to hurt his father's electoral chances. Tel Aviv District Court Judge Edna Beckstein rejected the plea.
In other good news for the Likud, the Justice Ministry released a clarification today stating that the criminal investigation against illegal appointments in the Health Ministry has nothing to do with the Likud's Health Minister Danny Naveh. The investigation, which was announced earlier this morning, is directed against Health Ministry employees. Naveh originally responded with surprise to news of the investigation, saying he had made no political appointments.
Sharon issued a statement of denial, saying, "The remarks attributed to Kalman Gayer absolutely contradict my positions and my views... they are complete nonsense. United Jerusalem will remain Israel's capital forever. The Road Map is the diplomatic plan that will lead Israel in the coming years, and whoever says otherwise does so on his own behalf and in complete contradiction of my position."
Gayer was also quoted in Newsweek as saying that Sharon essentially plans another unilateral disengagement from half of Judea and Samaria. The article states: "In the meantime, Sharon wants to 'lay the contours of an agreement with the Palestinians,' according to Gayer, by creating a Palestinian state in half the West Bank and implementing confidence-building measures." Sharon did not relate to this in his denial.
The Newsweek article has touched off a media debate on Jerusalem. Binyamin Netanyahu, the front-runner in next week's vote for Likud Party leader, was asked today if he believes that the Arab-populated neighborhoods of Jerusalem should remain Israeli. Netanyahu responded, "Should the Arab neighborhoods of Acco [Acre] remain Israeli? ... Yes, certainly they should. There is no purpose in volunteering concessions at this point, because if you do, you know where you begin, but you have no idea where you might end."
Netanyahu further said that Sharon and Kadima "are planning the mother of all retreats."
Chaim Ramon, a Knesset Member who left the Labor Party to join Kadima, told Army Radio that he believes Israel should not control the Arab-populated neighborhoods adjacent to Jerusalem under the final-status agreement.
Justice Minister Tzippy Livny, a senior member of Kadima, refused to relate to the question, saying that the borders will be drawn in an agreement between the two sides, not in radio interviews.
IMRA reported that the Israel Broadcasting Authority's Washington correspondent Yaron Dekel explained on Israel Radio that the Newsweek item will not hurt Prime Minister Sharon - because the Israeli public thinks Sharon is a liar. "Those on the Right will think that his talk about a Palestinian state and Jerusalem is a lie, and the Left will think his denials are a lie," Dekel said. With everyone preferring to hear what they want to hear, Sharon will not lose votes, Dekel theorized.
In other election news, Omri Sharon's request to have his sentencing postponed until after the election has been turned down. Sharon, an MK of Kadima and son of the prime minister, was convicted last month in a plea bargain arrangement of violating the campaign finance law and of lying under oath. He faces a possible jail sentence, and asked that the sentencing be postponed so as not to hurt his father's electoral chances. Tel Aviv District Court Judge Edna Beckstein rejected the plea.
In other good news for the Likud, the Justice Ministry released a clarification today stating that the criminal investigation against illegal appointments in the Health Ministry has nothing to do with the Likud's Health Minister Danny Naveh. The investigation, which was announced earlier this morning, is directed against Health Ministry employees. Naveh originally responded with surprise to news of the investigation, saying he had made no political appointments.