Is Pollard deal in the works?
Amid rumors, Defense Minister Mofaz tells Likud activists: Matter still on agenda, we cannot talk about everything
Amid rumors about an impending deal, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told Likud activists Tuesday evening the Pollard affair is still on the agenda, “but we cannot talk about everything.”
Meanwhile, political sources in Sharon’s entourage dismissed the rumors, saying “nothing will happen this time.”
Pollard, a former Navy intelligence officer, is currently serving a life sentence after being convicted of espionage.
Sharon himself addressed the issue in a talk with reporters on his plane and noted he raised the issue every time he visited the United States. Earlier, senior political sources also dismissed the rumors about Pollard’s impending release, saying this was not the right time for President George W. Bush to order the release.
“Exactly now, when President Bush’s popularity hit a nadir, he will release Pollard, the man characterized by the CIA director as the one who caused the greatest damage to the U.S.? it doesn’t make sense,” one source said.
Mofaz committed to settlement blocs
During Tuesday evening’s meeting Mofaz expressed his opinion on several pressing issue.
Referring to the latest developments in the Likud, the minister said that the ruling party must refrain from a split at all costs.
“No matter who you support or who it is you are angry with, at the end of the month we must not vote in favor of a split in the Likud. It would be wrong to get in the way of the Likud’s movement as a ruling party,” said Mofaz. “I plan to stay in the Likud and have no intentions of leaving. We must avoid a situation in which anyone is forced to leave the party.”
The Minister also referred to riots on Gaza’s Philadelphi route following the IDF’s withdrawal from the Strip.
“What happened there is unacceptable and I hope the Egyptians manage to gain control over the situation. Egypt has a real obligation to stop the smuggling through the route, and we have an international obligation,” he said.
Turning his attention to West Bank settlement blocs, Mofaz said that “Our permanent borders should be established, especially in the east and on the border with Syria.”
The State should also refrain from surrendering the Golan Heights, said Mofaz.
“The country must secure its future assets. Our generation will determine the permanent, defensible borders for the next 50 years. Our goal now is to strengthen the settlement blocs, so that they can serve as anchors in the future.”
Attila Somfalvi also contributed to the story
