World Tribune.com


Israel's government debates response to new suicide attacks

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Thursday, May 30, 2002

JERUSALEM Ñ Israel's government and military are divided over a response to renewed Palestinian attacks.

Officials said the dispute pits Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer against Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Shaul Mofaz in the wake of a spate of Palestinian suicide bombings in civilian population centers. The dispute has spread within the government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, according to Middle East Newsline.

Ben-Eliezer maintained that Israel must continue its policy of pinpoint incursions into West Bank cities to foil suicide bombings. Mofaz urged Israel to expel Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat and recapture Palestinian cities.

The Israeli military presence in West Bank cities, Mofaz argued, should remain until the Jewish state establishes a border fence and security system to prevent the infiltration of Palestinian attackers.

The chief of staff has been supported by Israel Security Agency director Avi Dichter. Ben-Eliezer has demanded that Mofaz refrain from issuing recommendations on government policy.

"I am totally against deporting Arafat," Ben-Eliezer said after a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Israeli troops raided the West Bank city of Hebron. Military sources said Israeli troops arrested several Palestinians.

The dispute within Israel's leadership comes as the European Union and the United States resume efforts to arrange a ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian war. Over the weekend, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State William Burns begins talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials. He will be joined by CIA director George Tenet.

EU security police chief Javier Solana and Osama El Baz, the diplomatic adviser of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will also meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders. They will focus on ensuring reform in the PA.

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