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Photo: AFP
Sharon, moments before addressing the Knesset
Photo: AFP
Photo: Sebastian Sheiner
Knesset plenum (Archive photo)
Photo: Sebastian Sheiner

Sharon: We will continue to fight terror

Knesset’s winter session opens in Jerusalem just hours after Sharon announces his decision to pull proposal on appointments of three Likud members to ministerial positions

During the past few days we were reminded of the reality in the region that is filled with hate toward Israel, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said as the Knesset’s winter session opened in Jerusalem on Monday, just hours after he announced his decision to pull the proposal on the appointments of three Likud members to ministerial positions.

 

“The terror masterminds from Iran and Damascus, from Gaza and Jenin, do not need reasons or excuses, but only opportunities,” Sharon added.

 

Sharon speaks (Video: Knesset Channel)

 

“In the face of this reality Israel will continue to protect itself and hurt the terrorists. We have no choice. We will continue to build the (West Bank) security fence with no political, practical or budgetary problems.

 

"The international community is united in its demand from the Palestinian Authority to meet all of its obligations, and above all the dismantling of terror organizations."

 

According to Sharon, "The government's policy is to aim to implement the Road Map with the 14 Israeli reservations, as approved by the government. The Road Map is the only political program providing a possibility of peace and hope for both the Israeli and Palestinian people." 

 

Regarding the economic crisis, Sharon said that "The improvement in Israel's economic condition enables us to allocate more resources to deal with the internal problems which affect our lives."

 

"It's no secret that the economic crisis harmed the poor and the middle class," he said, adding that "we now have a chance to mend our past mistakes."

 

Knesset Chairman, MK Reuven Rivlin, who spoke before Sharon, hinted in his speech that there was a good possibility that the parliamentary elections would be pushed forward.

 

"The great historical storm is already behind us. It does not matter whether the elections are held in the winter or in spring, they will hover over everything that will be done in the Knesset," Rivlin said.  

 

Speaking after Sharon, opposition leader Yosef Lapid (Shinui) said that "With all due respect to Ariel Sharon and Shimon Peres, they head parties that are unworthy of leading the country."

 

Knesset vote delayed

 

Earlier, Sharon said during a Likud faction meeting that he decided to delay the submission of the ministerial appointments proposal to a Knesset vote following consultations with advisors and fellow Likud members.

 

The vote was scheduled to take place Monday afternoon.

 

However, he said, "a week from now I plan to submit the same proposal as one package.”

 

On Sunday MK Michael Eitan tried to convince Sharon to pull the proposal and reach a compromise with the Likud “rebels.”

 

“I pleaded with him to delay the vote,” Eitan told Ynet. “I said to him: ‘If you know you are going to lose, then lose next week – give me a week; I am certain I can bring about an agreement. Why are you in such a hurry to lose? I detected a willingness among the (Likud) rebels to continue working together during the Knesset session, so why miss the opportunity? Give it a chance.’”

 

Knesset Member Avraham Poraz (Shinui) said following Sharon’s announcement that he is pulling the proposal, “it is better for the prime minister to go to elections now so Israel will have a stable and functioning government.”

 

Shinui Chairman Yosef Lapid said in response to the decision, “a prime minister who is incapable of recruiting voted from his own party in an important vote is politically-bankrupt.”

 


פרסום ראשון: 10.31.05, 16:49
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