The Israeli government has sent an ultimatum to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and the Palestinian government in the wake of today’s serious incident at the Sufa border crossing.
“Since we learned of the incident, we’ve been in diplomatic contact with international organizations, European countries and the US. The messages are diplomatic, and apparently concern the missing soldier,” said Cabinet Secretary Adv. Israel Maimon. He revealed that Egypt and Russia are mediating.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he considered Abu Mazen and the Palestinian government as responsible for the serious incident. He stressed in his letter, “They are responsible for what happens. This is another test for Abu Mazen, whether he controls the ground, but this is not his only test.”
Olmert will convene the security political cabinet this evening to take decisions. Sharp military and defense measures are on the agenda. Beforehand, Olmert will meet Minister of Defense Amir Perez, Minister of Public Security Avi Dichter and Minister of Transport Shaul Mofaz, Minister of Justice Haim Ramon, Minister of Construction and Housing Meir Sheetrit, and Vice Premier Shimon Peres for consultations. Last week, it was made clear that those responsible had been targeted.
In an intelligence briefing before the cabinet, General Securities Services (GSS) director Yival Diskin said all recent attacks were “Hamas colored, in Hamas uniforms, and planned by Hamas.” He said Hamas had not fired indirect weapons, but it was a partner in the incident. He added that there were alerts about an attack in this area, and that countermeasures had been taken. The GSS deputy director revealed that all terrorist attacks and attempted attacks, except for three, bore the “stamp of Hamas”, including the transfer of missiles to Islamic Jihad.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on June 25, 2006
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