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Israeli PM Justifies Move of Restraint
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said on Sunday that it was right for Israel to exercise restraint and refrain from an escalating retaliation of the killing of an Israeli soldier Saturday in Gaza Strip by a Palestinian security officer.
Addressing the weekly cabinet meeting, Barak said that it would have been a mistake if Israel had launched a harsher retaliation against the Palestinians as Israel would have been accused of sabotaging efforts to restore calm in light of the situation over the past few days and the chances of implementing the Sharm el- Sheikh ceasefire agreement.
The prime minister briefed the cabinet ministers the pressure being exerted on the Palestinians, including that in the military, economic and diplomatic spheres.
He said Israel's goal is to reduce terrorism, violence and incitement and that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will continue to act with strength and at a time and scope that serves Israeli interests.
In the meantime, Barak said, Israel is still opposed to the idea of sending international observers to the occupied Palestinian territories at this time. The Palestinians have requested the United Nations send a 2,000-strong international force to defend them from Israeli excessive use of force.
While recognizing the Palestinian efforts in stemming shooting in Area A localities under full Palestinian control, the Israeli security and military officials stressed that they will not tolerate attacks in either Area B or C places which are under Israeli security control.
Israeli Finance Minister Avraham Shochat said the protracted violence, which has so far cost about 240 lives, has ruined tourism and has affected farming and the building industry.
If it continues, Shochat said, the Israeli Gross Domestic Products (GDP) can be expected to drop by one percent.
The Israeli military establishment said earlier Sunday that the Palestinians had started taking actions to stop shooting attacks against Israeli citizens in the areas under full Palestinian control in the West Bank following a clear order by Palestinian National Authority chairman Yasser Arafat to the effect.
Clashes continue Sunday in the Gaza Strip during which a 14- year-old youth was killed in the firefight between Palestinian and IDF forces at the Karni crossing point between Israel and the Palestinian self-rule area.
A Palestinian truck driver carrying produce to the Karni terminal, which serves as a passage for goods delivery between the Israelis and Palestinians, was also hurt in the gunfire. An Israeli bus was shot at and there were no injuries.
The crossing point was ordered closed as a result of the fighting, stranding a long line of vehicles in both directions.
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