 |
Israeli Minister Criticizes Barak's "Timeout" Plan
The "timeout" initiative for the Middle East peace process is a "political mistake," said a senior Israeli government official Saturday.
If this initiative was carried out, it would harm Israel's international prestige, Justice Minister Yossi Beilin told the Israel Radio.
Beilin was the first Israeli government official to voice his objection and criticism to this idea, which was put forward by Prime Minister Ehud Barak Friday.
Addressing the nation through Israeli television stations Friday night, Barak accused the Palestinians of failing to honor the cease-fire agreement he reached with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh on Tuesday.
He said he would decide whether to have a "time-out" -- suspend the peace process with the Palestinians after the Arab summit in Cairo this weekend.
Barak's intention, political observers here said, is to put pressure on the Arab leaders and warn them that he would form a national unity government with right-wing Likud party during the "timeout" if Arab leaders decide to take drastic actions against Israel in the Cairo summit.
Facing criticism from his own party, Barak's office said Saturday that even if Barak formed a national unity government withthe Likud, he will continue to seek peace with Israel's neighbors.
Acting Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami also came out Saturday to protect Barak, saying Barak "did not mean a total breaking off the political-diplomatic option."
Israel can not afford to operate without a diplomatic option and during the current crisis situation, Israel must maintain a delicate balance between conflict and the diplomatic efforts that Israel must not let go of, he said.
"Even during these difficult times, we are committed to showing our people that we are fighting to keep open the slim hopes of a diplomatic agreement while with the same determination we must rise to the challenge of violence set down to us by Arafat," Ben-Ami said in a statement.
"At a time when Europe and the United States perceive the Camp David platform as the basis for an agreement, there is priority importance to increase and intensify the diplomatic pressure on the Palestinians so that they will comply with the wishes of the international community," he said.
Arab leaders attending the Cairo summit stated sharp criticism against Israel.
Arafat reportedly told other Arab leaders Saturday at the summit that the Palestinians will continue their resistance against Israeli occupation.
Meanwhile, bloody clashes erupted again Saturday between the Palestinians and Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and left at least five more Palestinian dead and over 200 others wounded.
More than 110 Palestinians have been killed and over 3,500 others wounded by Israeli soldiers and police in the three-week-plus violence, triggered by Israeli hawkish Likud leader Ariel Sharon's provocative visit to a Jerusalem shrine revered by Jews and Muslims.
In This Section
|