JERUSALEM Ñ For the first time, Israeli government leaders are clashing over how it should proceed with a U.S.-sponsored ceasefire with the Palestinians.

The dispute pits Prime Minister Ariel Sharon against Foreign Minister Shimon Peres. Government sources said Peres's Labor Party allies in the Cabinet are already threatening to leave the coalition.

Sharon, the sources said, wants to ensure that the Palestinians honor a ceasefire before launching political talks with the Palestinian Authority.

The prime minister said the international community wants to pressure Israel into negotiating with the Palestinians while the war continues.

In contrast, Peres wants to resume direct political contacts with PA Chairman Yasser Arafat immediately. The minister has argued that without political talks Arafat will have no incentive to implement the ceasefire.

The flareup took place on Sunday during the weekly Cabinet meeting.

Peres complained that Sharon had prevented him from attending a meeting scheduled in Ramallah for later that day with Arafat and visiting United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan. Annan had pressed for Peres to meet Arafat.

"I am not willing to take orders from you," Peres was quoted as telling Sharon during the Cabinet meeting. "I am not willing to accept from you what I am and what I am for."

Later, Peres acknowledged at a news conference that he and Sharon disagree on the implementation of the ceasefire. They met on Sunday evening and government sources said Sharon agreed that Peres would meet Arafat at a later date after the Palestinians fulfill their commitment to a ceasefire.

At the Cabinet meeting, right-wing ministers reprimanded Peres and complained that the foreign minister was moving too quickly on the U.S. ceasefire plan drafted by CIA director George Tenet. The ministers said the Palestinians have not reciprocated for the easing of the Israeli siege on Palestinian cities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

A Peres ally, Dalia Itzhik, intervened. Ms. Itzhik, the minister of trade and industry, said Peres would not become the punching bag of right-wing members of the Cabinet and threatened that her party would leave the coalition. Over the weekend, Sharon's coalition marked its first 100 days.

Despite the dispute, Sharon has ordered the military to ease restrictions on the PA. Military sources said the military has been ordered to lift the siege on all cities in the West Bank with the exception of Hebron and Ramallah.

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