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Israel Extends Deadline for Violence to End
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak decided Tuesday in a marathon cabinet meeting to extend the 48-hour ultimatum in order to let Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to put an end to the violence in the territories.
The cabinet meeting, which began late Monday night and lasted till Tuesday morning at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, decided to extend the deadline for "a few more days."
"The Israeli government, following many requests from world leaders, is leaning towards allowing a few more days for using any chance to put an end to the violence, while realizing that this is definitely the last chance," said a statement issued by Prime Minister's Office.
Other decisions made during the cabinet meeting included that the closure of the Palestinian territories will continue, and during the closure, only Palestinian workers will be allowed to entered into Israel for work while certain Palestinian trucks will be allowed to transport goods into Israel.
The Gaza International Airport will continue to be closed; the safe passage route between Gaza and the West Bank city of Hebron will be closed to the Palestinians; and certain Palestinian VIPs will not be allowed to travel freely between Israel and the territories.
Meanwhile, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was authorized, if necessary, to use certain weapons, such as combat helicopters and tanks, to deal with the violence in the territories.
Barak also told his cabinet that during the next few days, he will work towards an expansion of the government in order to create a government whose purpose is to wide the base of public support for security and peace.
Emerging from the cabinet meeting, the government spokesman, Nachman Shai, said that "we will act to restore calm to the extent that it depends on us, while also giving (Palestinian leader) Yasser Arafat a certain additional time to do what he needs to do. There is intense international diplomatic activity which we can not reject or ignore."
Barak issued the ultimatum two days ago, demanding Palestinians stop violence by Monday night, or Israel will consider the peace talks dead and respond forcefully to new attacks.
About 90 people, mostly Palestinians and Israeli Arabs, have been killed and more than 2,000 others wounded in the 12 days of violence triggered by Israeli opposition Likud leader Ariel Sharon's provocative visit on September 28 to a Jerusalem site holy to both Muslims and Jews.
Tuesday's Israeli decision came amidst the worst clashes in years between Jews and Arabs on Monday in Israel and the territories and an array of diplomatic efforts, including visits to the region by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.
U.S. President Bill Clinton spoke by phone Monday night with Barak and Arafat, and he has been considering holding a Middle East summit in a bid to salvage the peace process.
Forced by some of his ministers during the cabinet meeting, Barak said he did not rule out of attending such a regional summit if there is one.
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