Jerusalem, 30 December 2001
Cabinet Communique
(Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat)
At the weekly Cabinet meeting on Sunday, December 30, 2001:
1. Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer commented on the
security situation last week and noted that for the second week
in a row, there has been a decrease in the level of violence and
the scope of attacks.
Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer said that partial credit for this
may be attributed to Israeli policy which has succeeded in
bringing heavy internal and external pressure to bear on the
Palestinian leadership and which has pushed it into acting on the
ground. The Defense Minister also made it clear that one must not
be deluded into thinking that Israel has achieved peace and quiet
since the Palestinian Authority is only operating superficially
and because the heart of terrorism has not been hit, and planning
for deadly attacks continues. The Defense Minister commented that
most of the dangerous terrorists are still at large and added
that most of the infrastructure for terrorism has not been hit.
Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer said that he has directed the IDF to
ease the tight closure on relatively quiet areas such as Jericho
and Bethlehem and to allow Christmas celebrations to proceed as
usual.
2. In response to a question from Tourism Minister Benny Elon
regarding Foreign Minister Shimon Peres's contacts with Abu Ala,
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon made the following statement:
"Israel is committed to peace and will make every effort to
achieve it. In accordance with Cabinet and Government decisions,
diplomatic negotiations may not be held with the PA while
terrorism continues and as long as the critical steps to arrest
and punish terrorists, foil terrorist attacks, and disband the
terrorist organizations have not been taken. No discussion on
diplomatic issues will be held - including the issue of a
Palestinian state - without Cabinet discussion and approval; this
is the existing policy. Contacts with PA officials - in
accordance with Cabinet decisions - can be about the cessation of
terrorism, violence and incitement only."
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said that his mandate is to
conclude a cease-fire, and if diplomatic negotiations come up,
the issue will be submitted to the Prime Minister and the
Cabinet.
3. Labor and Social Welfare Minister Shlomo Ben-Izri briefed the
Cabinet on the handicapped strike. The Minister detailed the
compensation the handicapped receive and commented on their
demands. The Cabinet decided to establish an inter-ministerial
committee headed by the Assistant to the Director-General of the
Prime Minister's Office, and including representatives from the
Labor and Social Welfare, Finance, and Health Ministries, and the
National Insurance Institute, to conduct continuous negotiations
with representatives of the striking handicapped.