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Barak Promises Peace Efforts Despite Possible Emergency Government
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak Sunday tried to play down the fuss caused by his warning of a "time-out" in the peace process and said he would continue to work for peace even if an emergency government is formed.
The weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, held after an Arab League summit was concluded on Sunday noon, did not decide on calling a time-out in the peace process.
Barak warned Friday that he would announce whether or not to take a time-out from the Israeli-Palestinian peace process after the Arab summit ended on Sunday.
Barak told the cabinet that there had already been no small number of time-outs between Israel and the Palestinians and that an Israeli time-out to reassess the peace process does not require cabinet approval.
"This (time-out) is an understood, natural necessity in light of the (Arab) League's decisions and the violent outbreaks and deadly clashes of recent weeks," Barak said.
He pledged that even if an emergency government is established, it would strive to reach peace with the Palestinians, with some modifications in the approach to negotiations, which entail "a different stress" and "nuances".
The prime minister also said that Israel is facing an immediate danger of Syria's terrorist attacks and a deterioration of the situation.
He said there is no security cooperation between the Israelis and Palestinian National Authority (PNA). He charged that the PNA is not arresting terrorists who were released earlier and does not stop the violence.
Barak accused the PNA of taking a violent path in order to internationalize the peace process and drum up international support for a Palestinian state.
He said there are no constraints on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to use force when defending the civilians and rescuing wounded individuals.
The prime minister's message on taking a possible "time-out" in the peace process has triggered extensive opposition in Israel as a majority of the public support continued efforts for peace. Justice Minister Yossi Beilin and acting Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami, among others, are against the "time-out" idea.
By announcing that such a move does not need government approval, the prime minister circumvented the opposition of the vital ministers.
In another development, the Israeli government Sunday issued a statement rejecting "the language of threat" at the conclusion of the Arab League summit and condemning the call for the continuation of violence against Israel.
Barak demands that the Palestinians honor their commitment to cease violence and incitement and insist the PNA restore calm before there is any escalation in the clashes.
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