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Jerusalem, 31 December 2000
PM Barak: Israel has proven its commitment to peace
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser) )
Prime Minister Ehud Barak, at the weekly Cabinet meeting today
(Sunday), December 31, 2000, commented on the sides' response to
US President Clinton's ideas and said that we must prepare for
two possibilities:
If the Palestinians accept President Clinton's proposals, it will
then be possible to continue the process while adhering to our
principle of no right of return to Israel and the Prime
Minister's intention not to sign any document that transfers
sovereignty over the Temple Mount to the Palestinians.
If the Palestinians are not ready to move the process forward at
this time, their negative answer is liable to lead to increased
violence. 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.
The State of Israel gave a positive answer in principle to
President Clinton that is conditioned on a positive answer by the
other side. In its positive answer in principle to President
Clinton, Israel proved that it is committed to the peace process.
"The Israeli government will continue to act towards achieving
this goal while upholding the State of Israel's vital national
and security interests. If it becomes clear that the other side
is unwilling, Israel will have answers and positions - and will
be prepared - for every possibility," Prime Minister Barak said.
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