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Herzog. 'No secret Abbas weak'
Photo: Gabi Menashe

Labor: Israel must talk with Abbas

Despite disagreements within coalition, ministers claim government is stable. Labor Minister Herzog says faction supports dialogue with PA Chairman Abbas

Sunday's cabinet meeting was opened with several issues that are currently in dispute between the coalition factions, including a potential meeting with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, the cabinets' composition, the rise in bread prices and the vote on the National Budget.

 

However, most of the ministers Ynet has interviewed Sunday morning believe these are mere beginners' hiccups that will not develop into a substantial crisis.

 

Tourism Minister Yitzhak Herzog told Ynet:"I do not see real conflicts. We are talking about a number of political groups that have gathered around one table. We all strive to see Israel as a democratic state."

 

"On the issue of Abbas, the Labor ministers believe that Israel should move first to engage in dialogue with him. It's no secret Abbas is weak and that the results he accomplishes are insubstantial. However, he holds to the greatest constitutional power as Authority chairman, and Israel must decide whether to follow this option for a negotiation. We recommend that it does," Herzog said.

 

Government's labor pains

 

Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon (Labor) said that the disagreements were part of the new government's labor pains. "We are learning how to deal with one another," he explained.

 

Interior Minister Ronnie Bar-On (Kadima) also stated that the many disputes reported of in the media are misleading. "We have a good government and a professional, responsible leadership. The prime minister is a level-headed man with nerves of steel. I don’t see the government falling apart. This cabinet will lead Israel in the next few years," he said.

 

Health Minister Yacov Ben Yizri (Pensioners) said that a meeting between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Abbas should be discussed and approved by the government.

 

"If such a meeting indeed takes place after Olmert returns from Washington and after the government approves it, then it should be done in order to determine whether there is room for further talks," he said.

 


פרסום ראשון: 05.14.06, 13:09
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