Israel's attorney general to Barak: Don't sign agreement during campaign

JERUSALEM — Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein has urged Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak not to sign an agreement with the Palestinians during the election campaign.

In a letter to Barak, Rubinstein said such an agreement would be unprecedented at a time when the prime minister has resigned and does not enjoy a majority in parliament. Rubinstein said he opposes Barak's endorsement of a U.S. plan that would transfer the Temple Mount to Palestinian rule, Middle East Newsline reported.

"I raise doubt as to the moral authority of the government as the resigned prime minister awaits reelection and when the president of the United States, who is acting as midwife for the agreement, will no longer bear any responsibility for the implementation of the agreement since his days at the White House are over and the operative meaning of the agreement will be the removal of settlements, dramatic changes in Jerusalem cutting into the very bone of the city," Rubinstein wrote. "The government is the representative of the entire public and thus should carefully weigh heavy nation-dividing decisions made during its waning hours."

The letter angered Barak's allies, who have called for Rubinstein's dismissal. For his part, Barak called the letter "strange" and said it reflects what the prime minister termed Rubinstein's right-wing views.

Barak has issued his campaign message to Israelis for elections on Feb. 6: vote for me or face war with the Arab world.

Barak has threatened Israelis that a vote for Likud chairman Ariel Sharon will bring the Jewish state closer to war. The message is said to be geared toward the nearly 1 million Russian immigrants in the country.

"I will win this election,'' Barak told Russian state television. "The real choice is Barak and war. I don't want to put Sharon off peace, but [it's] Barak or war."

Barak, who trails in the polls against Sharon, said the mini-war in the area will increase unless the Palestinian Authority agrees to the proposals submitted by U.S. President Bill Clinton. He said at that point, Barak will have to review the situation.

"If the Palestinians are not ready to move the process forward at this time, their negative answer is liable to lead to increased violence," Barak told the Cabinet. "In such a situation, Israel will take a time-out and prepare for a unilateral separation while leaving the door ajar to a continuation of the process when the Palestinians are ready for it. If it becomes clear that the other side is unwilling, Israel will have answers and positions — and will be prepared — for every possibility."

Barak said he will wait two weeks until he makes such a determination. Clinton leaves office on Jan. 20.