Jerusalem, 22 December 2002
Cabinet Communique
(Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat)
At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), December 22, 2002:
1. ISA director Avi Dichter briefed ministers on current security
issues, focusing on the continuing conflict with the Palestinians.
The ISA Director discussed the large number of warnings of attacks,
the number of Israelis injured and the terrorist activities of all
the various organizations within the Palestinian Authority. He also
detailed the operations of the security services in thwarting terror
attacks.
2. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz briefed ministers on his recent visit
to the US where he met with US administration leaders, UN Secretary-
General Kofi Annan and Jewish leaders. The Defense Minister noted
that he was received with warmth and understanding regarding Israel's
security problems. The Defense Minister Mofaz also commented on both
the intensive efforts by terrorist groups to perpetrate terror
attacks, and the ongoing IDF operations to intercept them, in the
last three weeks.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said that since the beginning of
November over 1,000 Palestinians have been arrested, and added that
last week's arrests certainly prevented a large number of suicide
bombings in Israel.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz added that the IDF had approved plans to
allow religious ceremonies to take place over the Christmas holiday
in Bethlehem, wherever possible, and without endangering lives.
Defense Minister Mofaz asserted that the IDF has not ruled out the
possibility that Hizbullah will attempt to attack northern Israel and
added that Israel is better prepared than ever before for all
eventualities that could arise in the event of a US attack on Iraq.
3. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon referred to the evacuation of the
outpost in Hebron and said that Israel is a democratic country in
which illegal activities will not be tolerated.