Ministers: No use in truce with Hamas
Most National Security Cabinet members oppose Egyptian-mediated deal being formed between Israel, Palestinian terror group
During a Kadima ministers meeting Sunday morning, held just before the weekly cabinet meeting, most ministers clarified that they oppose the deal, saying there is no use for such an agreement at the moment.
The meeting's postponement was at the center of discussions, both at the Kadima ministers meeting and among the ministers who entered the weekly cabinet meeting.
Officials in Jerusalem have clarified that the meeting was delayed as a result of the failure to clarify the conditions offered by the Egyptians on behalf of Hamas.
"The issue has not matured, and the picture is totally unclear as far as we are concerned. We don’t know, for example, what the final conditions for a lull are, what the Israeli commitments mean, as well as what the commitments made by Egypt and the Gaza organizations mean. It is unclear who will enforce the commitments."
Prime Minister Olmert said during the Kadima ministers meeting, "No Israeli stance will be presented in the lull agreement which has not been decided in the cabinet, which is the authorized body to do so."
The prime minister briefed the ministers on the developments and the evaluations of the situation he held with the defense minister on Saturday. "This issue has to be examined by the cabinet," he reiterated. "The defense minister consulted with my often over the weekend."
'Authorized body must make decisions'
According to Olmert, he and Barak agreed that an Israeli representative should not be sent to Cairo at this time.
"This issue is serious and has far-reaching meanings. Our commitment is unequivocal. The situation in the south will not continue, and the decision must be made by the Israeli government's authoritative body."
Olmert rejected reports that the negotiations with Egypt were being held on three separate channels: His, the foreign minister's and the defense minister's. "The government is working as one body," he said.
Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On said during the ministers' meeting, "The situation in the south cannot continue. We must make decisions."
Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann said, "I think that holding these talks with the Egyptians is a mistake in itself. We should take other means."
According to Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, "We must be on the lookout and make the decisions through the cabinet in an organized manner."
Ministers from other parties also addressed the truce issue before the start of the cabinet meeting.
Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Eli Yishai criticized the cancellation of the National Security Cabinet meeting, saying that "the cabinet meeting should have been held today. Even if there are differences of opinion before the foreign minister, the prime minister and the defense minister, the discussion must be held in the coming days."
Yishai hinted that his Shas party may quit the government due to social issues, including the child allowances.
Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit also criticized the meeting's cancellation, saying that "the cabinet meeting must be held in order to discuss a military operation in Gaza. I strongly reject to a truce agreement, and I will vote against it every time it is suggested."
