Peres: Gaza now 'a Palestinian problem'
Photo: Tzafrir Abayov
Gaza-West Bank 'safe passage' to open
Interim solution will see guarded Palestinian convoys travel between Palestinian territories
Israel has committed itself to allowing guarded convoys to travel between Gaza and the West Bank, as an interim solution to the transport problem between the Palestinian territories. The commitment was made to Quartet Special Envoy for Disengagement, James D. Wolfensohn.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Wolfensohn, Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres said, “We are working to ensure that this won’t allow terrorists and weaponry to be smuggled to Gaza. In recent days, we have been holding deliberations on setting up passages from Gaza to Egypt, Gaza to Jordan, and from northern Gaza to Israel.”
“I believe we are very close to an agreement,” added Peres.
Palestinian problem
“The principles are more or less agreed upon. A customs envelope will remain, good will be checked on entry, and people will enter and leave under joint supervision. We don’t rule out the possibility of a third party monitoring borders when the Rafah passage opens,” Peres said.
According to the vice prime minister, “Gaza will turn into a Palestinian problem, not an Israeli one,” after the disengagement. “If they don’t take control of Gaza, it will be very difficult to continue. If they take control of terror, they will open the door to peace. All the burden is now placed on Palestinian shoulders.”
