|
cabinet Communique |
|
| 12/08/2001 |
| At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 12.8.2001: |
At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 12.8.2001:
1. Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Shaul Mofaz briefed the Cabinet on ongoing
security matters and pointed out that there has been no change in the
Palestinian Authority's strategy of using escalating terrorism and
violence against Israel with the goal of internationalizing the
conflict.
Chief-of-Staff Mofaz said that since the end of September 2000,
Palestinian terrorist elements have perpetrated 6,600 terrorist attacks
against Israel and Israelis.
Chief-of-Staff Mofaz briefed the Cabinet on the operation by the IDF,
and other security forces, Thursday night at Orient House and in closing
other PLO offices in Jerusalem and Abu Dis. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
thanked the IDF and the Israel Police on behalf of the government, and
requested that the government's gratitude be conveyed to those who
participated in the action.
2. The Cabinet held a diplomatic-security discussion in which most
attending ministers participated. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
summarized the discussion as follows:
 The Friday morning actions by the IDF and the Israel Police in
Jerusalem and Abu Dis - in accordance with a security cabinet decision -
were designed to halt Palestinian Authority activity in Jerusalem. This
decision regarding Palestinian Authority offices in Jerusalem and
Palestinian security services' offices in Abu Dis was made by the
security cabinet following the 1.6.2001 suicide-bombing at the Tel Aviv
Dolphinarium but its implementation had been delayed for various
reasons.
Prime Minister Sharon noted that the PLO had - in various diplomatic
agreements (see < http://www.israel-mfa.gov.il/mfa/go.asp?MFAH0kb40>) -
committed itself to restricting PA activities to the areas that had been
handed over to its control. Activities of a diplomatic or
administrative character - by a foreign entity - inside the State of
Israel, without its consent, constitute an infringement on the
sovereignty of the State of Israel. It also contradicts the law - which
had been legislated by the government of the late Prime Minister Yitzhak
Rabin - on implementing the interim agreement on the West Bank and the
Gaza Strip.
In the framework of PA activities in Jerusalem, severe offenses were
carried out: Detentions, seizure of property, abductions, torture,
murder, etc. From Abu Dis, which is Area B, various Palestinian
"security" organizations operated - in contravention of the agreements -
and carried out illegal activities which continuously gnawed away at our
sovereignty in Israel's capital. In the places that the security
forces took control of Friday morning, weapons, explosive material and
bombs were found. This period has ended; what was, will not recur.
Terrorism and incitement will not be allowed to return to Jerusalem
and the PA will not be allowed to gnaw away at our sovereignty in
Jerusalem unhindered. Wherever and whenever we will have to take
measures to prevent this, we will not hesitate, according to
circumstances.
Prime Minister Sharon emphasized that the Israel Police will open an
additional station in eastern Jerusalem tomorrow.
Regarding Palestinian violence, Prime Minister Sharon said that the PA
has committed itself - in existing agreements - to act against terrorism
including by outlawing terrorist organizations operating in its areas.
3. The Cabinet approved Tourism Minister Rechavam Zeevi's proposal to
appoint Mira Altman as Tourism Ministry Director-General.
4. The Cabinet approved Transportation Minister Ephraim Sneh's proposal
to appoint Yitzhak Eshel as Director of the Transportation Ministry
National Road Safety Authority.
5. Attorney-General Elyakim Rubinstein briefed the Cabinet on the issue
of the fair representation of women, minorities and the handicapped in
the civil service.
|
|