Sharon and Abbas shake hands during previous meeting (Archive photo)
Photo: AFP
Summit in shadow of terror
Abbas, Sharon to meet Tuesday against backdrop of growing violence, far right road blocking threats
JERUSALEM – Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas are set to meet Tuesday in Jerusalem against a backdrop of growing violence and far right threats to block roads in the capital in a bid to thwart the meeting.
Sharon is expected to demand that Abbas deliver on pledges made at the previous summit meeting between the two leaders, mainly the cessation of terror.
The session has been called to coordinate the upcoming Gaza Strip and northern West Bank pullout, but the Israeli side is expected to focus on the need for the Palestinians to curb terrorism.
Growing Violence
By Hanan Greenberg and Sharon Roffe Ofir
Palestinians shoot and kill Yevgeny Raider in West Bank as violence continues to flare in the region ahead of a planned Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a summit between Sharon and Abbas; Meanwhile, troops prevent hospital attack by detaining suicide bomber
Meanwhile, Jerusalem police are preparing to foil far right attempts to disrupt the order across the capital. Police forces are expected to deploy in force at major intersections ahead of the summit.
The growing violence in recent days is one of the reasons the meeting will be a low profile one, without a press conference, post-summit questions from reporters, or even photo opportunities.
Sharon to demand action against terror
The Palestinians asked the meeting be held at Sharon’s private residence, the Sycamore Ranch, but the prime minister declined.
“The prime minister does not have working meetings at the ranch,” an official close to Sharon told the Palestinians. As a result, the session will be held at Sharon’s official residence in the capital.
Regarding the possibility of granting the Palestinians further concessions, a Sharon official said: “this isn’t the time for gestures.”
During the meeting, Israel is expected to demand that Abbas present a security plan for coordinating the disengagement that includes the prevention of attacks on evacuated settlements. More urgently, Israel is expecting more decisive Palestinian action against terror groups who continue to carry out attacks.
Sharon is expected to repeat his demand that the Palestinian Authority disarm terror organizations. Officials at the Prime Minister’s Office said the possible release of more Palestinian prisoners as a goodwill gesture is not on the agenda at this time.
Meanwhile, security sources told Ynet the meeting may “determine the character of IDF activity against terror groups in the near future.”
The IDF was expected to extend operations in the West Bank, particularly against Islamic Jihad targets, but at this time there are no plans for any large-scale operations.
Palestinians hoping for goodwill gestures
Other issues expected to be raised during the meeting include the operation of a Gaza seaport and airport and safe passage between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The Palestinians are hoping Sharon approves the understandings reached by Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Palestinian Minister Mohammed Dahlan recently regarding cooperation in border crossings.
The Palestinian side is also expected to ask that Israel deliver on earlier pledges regarding an IDF withdrawal from West Bank towns, and is also hoping for a breakthrough on the question of Palestinian prisoners.
The PA is also expecting Israel to announce significant goodwill gestures, including the easing of restrictions on Palestinian laborers and the removal of roadblocks.
-Shani Mizrachi and Hanan Greenberg also contributed to the story
