JERUSALEM Ñ Israel's former chief of staff has accepted an offer to
become the nation's new defense minister.
Shaul Mofaz has agreed to an offer by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to
become Israel's defense minister. Mofaz's appointment will be submitted to
the Knesset, or Israel's parliament, on Monday.
Mofaz replaces outgoing Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, who led
the Labor Party in a walkout last week. The Labor Party move sparked efforts
by Sharon to ensure a coalition majority of largely right-wing parties.
"Shaul Mofaz tonight notified that he accepts the position of defense
minister," Sharon's office said in a statement on late Saturday. "The prime
minister intends to bring the nomination for approval to the Knesset on
Monday. The prime minister said he is confident that the rich experience of
Mofaz will help him carry out his position successfully during this
difficult period."
Israeli officials said the appointment of Mofaz Ñ who has advocated the
exiling of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat Ñ will not change
the policies of the Sharon government. They said Sharon has relayed such a
message to the United States.
Over the weekend, Israeli troops were said to have foiled an attempted
suicide bombing. Military sources said Israeli soldiers detained two
Palestinians who were trying to transport an explosive belt past a military
checkpoint in the northern West Bank near Nablus.
In Jenin, Israeli troops detained an additional 10 suspected insurgents.
More than 160 insurgents have been captured in the northern West Bank city.
PA Interior Minister Hani Al Hassan said the government does not oppose
attacks on Jewish settlers, including suicide bombings. Al Hassan, whose
appointment was ratified last week, said the government regards settlers as
Israeli combatants.
"Settlers are not civilians," Al Hassan told a seminar. "What is he
doing in my land with his weapon on his shoulder? We are not against
martyrdom attacks."
