Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is in for a busy week, security-wise. He will begin with cabinet meetings focusing on the threats from Gaza. Tuesday, he is expected to meet with Jordan's King Abdullah. He is meant to meet at some point with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Olmert will convene a meeting Sunday, with his security cabinet and several members of the defense leadership, including the IDF Chief of Staff, Mossad Chief, and Chief of the Shin Bet.
During the meeting, members of the defense establishment will brief the security cabinet on security issues in Gaza, namely, Qassam launchings, Hamas armament, weapons smuggling from Egypt and general anarchy in the area.
Several Knesset members on the security cabinet think the IDF should widen its activities in the Gaza strip. The PM would rather exercise caution, especially given the sensitive political state Israel's in.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz has supported Olmert's decision to give the military wider reaction options, but the two agreed on proportional reaction, aimed at minimal disruption to the regions stability.
At this time, fearing Gaza turns into another southern Lebanon, and despite the Southern Command's preparations and Major-General Yoav Galant's demand for a wide scale operation, Olmert has not given the green light for such an operation.
Prior to the security cabinet meeting Sunday, the general cabinet is also expected to discuss options of dealing with the continuing Qassam attacks and Hamas armament in the Gaza Strip.
The prime minister wishes to familiarize the rest of the cabinet with the security issues in Gaza, particularly those that threaten Israeli civilians directly.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, this is to implement recommendations of the Winograd Commission, which reported a lack of government readiness and awareness on the eve of the Second Lebanon War.
Political Meetings
Tuesday Olmert will leave for Jordan, at the invitation of King Abdullah to be his guest at a convention hosting 40 Nobel Prize winners. To two were scheduled to hold a privet meeting to discus the political move related to the Arab peace initiative.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Jordanian Foreign Minister Abd al-Ilah al-Khatib are suppose to inform Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on their plans to visit Israel, to discuss the very same initiative
The two foreign ministers were authorized by the Arab League in the March 28 summit, to discuss the peace plan with Israel. The two met Livni Thursday on her visit to Cairo and it was agreed they will come to Israel in the next few weeks to continue talks.
Israel sees this historical dialogue with the Arab League as one of three political paths, alongside the direct negotiations with the Palestinians and a secret avenue in which future issues are discussed.
Palestinians hope Jordan's growing role in the peace process would lead to a breakthrough allowing for a real negotiation to begin. Chief Palestinian negotiator Dr. Saeb Eerkat said the meeting's purpose is to discuss this exactly.
"This will be the main issue discussed between the King and Abu Mazen" said Eerkat. "All efforts are aimed at creating peace process based on UN decision and the implementation of the road map, as well as on the Arab peace initiative."
Eerkat went on to deny reports of talks regarding the creation of Jordanian-Palestinian confederacy. "We are determined to continue our efforts for the foundation of an independent Palestinian state" he said.
Despite Eerkat's denials YNET has learned the concept was discussed by both side in the last few days, but no agreement has been reach so far.
Meanwhile, a delayed meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas seems set to take place this week. Olmert and the PA president are supposed to meet every two weeks, in accordance with recommendations by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Their last meeting was meant to have taken place the night before the Winograd Commission published its interim report, but has since been rescheduled twice. The two are supposed to meet in Jericho or some other Palestinian city.