Halutz rules out war with Syria
IDF chief of staff tells cabinet ministers that military intelligence information contradicts reports that Syria is preparing for war with Israel next summer; adds that presence of peacekeepers in southern Lebanon impinges on Hizbullah activities
War in summer? Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lit.-Gen. Dan Halutz ruled out the possibility of a war erupting over summer with Syria, but added that the military is always prepared for the worst.
"Also the Syrians heard these remarks. Sometimes a speculation can lead to results than no body wants," he told cabinet ministers.
Shin Bet Chief Yuval Diskin spoke of the ongoing showdown between Hamas and Fatah in the Gaza Strip. "The confrontations between Hamas and Fatah reached unprecedented levels," he said.
Diskin said the more intense the fighting the more likely it is that Fatah and Hamas would reach an agreement on the formation of a national unity government because Hamas is wary that ongoing violence could deflate the popular support it enjoys among the Palestinians.
Diskin labeled as "aftershock" threats by Palestinian security prisoners to go on a hunger strike should the fighting continue.
He warned that Hizbullah intensified attempts to assist terror groups in the West Bank and Gaza and to recruit Arab Israelis.
Livni: Rice understands Israel position
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told ministers that Israel's interest is to extend support for moderate forces in the Palestinian Authority without jeopardizing its security interests.
"Israel needs to stick to two principles for political progress: strengthening the moderates and preserving the security interests. These principles are also clear for the American Secretary of State," she said referring to her meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Jerusalem on Saturday.
"In addition to military operations, the Israeli interest is to establish direct talks with Palestinian officials," she said. She said Rice came to the region to explore ways to advance peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Turning her attention to Lebanon, Livni said that Israel should urge European countries who sent troops to southern Lebanon part of a UN-backed peacekeeping mission to impose an arms embargo on Hizbullah.
About Iran, she said most countries in the Middle East are aware of the dangers of Tehran acquiring nuclear weapons.
She rejected attempts by some Arab state to link Iran's pursuit of nuclear arms to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She added that the situation created an opportunity for talks with moderate Arab states.
"An opportunity to identify a common interest has been created," she said.
