Deputy FM Ayalon. 'No decision yet'
Photo: Reuters
Ayalon: Decision not yet made in Ghajar
During visit to Nahariya hospital, Deputy Foreign Minister reveals that political echelons awaiting recommendations from professional ranks of Foreign Ministry regarding withdrawal from northern section of Ghajar. On Mitchell's visit he says, 'Better to advance well than to advance quickly'
On the backdrop of reports that Israel will withdraw from the northern section of the village of Ghajar, which straddles the border with Lebanon, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said Thursday that "a final decision has yet to be made on the matter."
Ayalon, who was visiting a hospital in Nahariya, said, "We are still awaiting the recommendations from the political ranks of the Foreign Ministry. I am certain that the government of Israel will make the best possible decision with the welfare and security of the residents of Ghajar in mind, who expressed their position to the director general of the Foreign Ministry during his visit to the village last week."
The deputy minister also addressed the visit of US special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell, who is currently in Israel, as well as the possibility of renewing peace talks with the Palestinians.
"We warmly welcome the envoy Mitchell. If there were no chance of renewing talks, he would not have come to Israel. We are very interested in a renewal of negotiations, and we hope that the proper conditions are fostered to this end.
It is more important to advance correctly in negotiations than to advance quickly. I hope that we successfully build an important and stable foundation for negotiation. It does not depend only on us. We have called and continue to call upon Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to return to the discussion table. We hope this will happen soon," said Ayalon.
Accompanying Ayalon on his visit to the hospital were acting Nahariya Mayor Dmitry Epstein and acting Akko Mayor Ze'ev Noiman, both of whom are members of Yisrael Beiteinu.
"After the elections, the party decided, as part of a bid to support periphery towns, to transfer NIS 25 million (about $6.7 million) for the advancement and development of the Nahariya Hospital. This is an institution that is in operation not far from the border with Lebanon, and it is important to bolster it in order to be prepared for every scenario. I am happy to see the number of projects under construction currently," said Ayalon.
Nahariya Hospital Director Dr. Massad Barhoum gave the tour of the hospital. During the tour, they visited the staff of the underground hospital, which was built a few years ago. Arrangements have recently been made for its expansion in order to provide a response in the case that the northern border comes under attack.
