During an interview with correspondents from Israel's Channel 2 television Saturday evening, Knesset Member Peretz said that his meeting with Abbas (also known by his nom de guerre, Abu Mazen) would be to determine what stance the Palestinian Authority leader will take regarding the Hamas-led PA legislature. Peretz said he will ask Abu Mazen if he intends to take any steps to prevent the establishment of a PA government that will declare agreements with Israel to be null and void.
Shortly after the Hamas electoral victory in the PA, at the end of January, Peretz said that Israel should not negotiate with a Hamas-led government that wants to destroy the Jewish State. As for defense against attacks from the PA, Peretz earlier this month called on the government to immediately move ahead with fortifications of communities in proximity to the Gaza Strip.
Regarding possible electoral outcomes in Israel, Peretz told Channel 2 interviewers that he would not agree to be part of a government in which Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu was finance minister. Peretz, a labor union boss, said that the differences between himself and Netanyahu form a nearly unbridgeable gulf both in matters of foreign policy and in domestic socio-economic policy.
As finance minister in the Sharon government, Netanyahu's budgetary cutbacks earned him the wrath of advocates of the social welfare policies Peretz champions.
Prior to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's massive stroke, Netanyahu had challenged Sharon and Peretz to a three-way televised debate. At the time, Peretz agreed to participate, though Kadima rejected the idea. It is not yet known if such a debate will be held between Peretz, Netanyahu, and current Kadima party head and Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Shortly after the Hamas electoral victory in the PA, at the end of January, Peretz said that Israel should not negotiate with a Hamas-led government that wants to destroy the Jewish State. As for defense against attacks from the PA, Peretz earlier this month called on the government to immediately move ahead with fortifications of communities in proximity to the Gaza Strip.
Regarding possible electoral outcomes in Israel, Peretz told Channel 2 interviewers that he would not agree to be part of a government in which Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu was finance minister. Peretz, a labor union boss, said that the differences between himself and Netanyahu form a nearly unbridgeable gulf both in matters of foreign policy and in domestic socio-economic policy.
As finance minister in the Sharon government, Netanyahu's budgetary cutbacks earned him the wrath of advocates of the social welfare policies Peretz champions.
Prior to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's massive stroke, Netanyahu had challenged Sharon and Peretz to a three-way televised debate. At the time, Peretz agreed to participate, though Kadima rejected the idea. It is not yet known if such a debate will be held between Peretz, Netanyahu, and current Kadima party head and Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.