Barak's new government
Palestine-Israel, Politics, 7/6/1999

The real test facing the new prime minister of Israel, Ehud Barak, is his commitment to the Wye Agreement, including the implementation of the pending two phases of the Israeli troop withdrawal from the West Bank. Palestine President Yasser Arafat already reacted positively to the opening speech of the new prime minister in presenting his government before Israel's Knesset.

"We are ready to work hand in hand with the new government of Israel for the fulfillment of all the clauses of the agreements singed between the two sides in order to reach a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region," said Arafat minutes after he heard Barak's speech before the Knesset. PNA minister of local governments, Saeb Erekat, said that the Palestinians would first wait to see action before they judge the words of Ehud Barak.

Palestinian officials believe the upcoming talks with the new government of Ehud Barak won't be easy at all. But, many argue, Barak's credibility would in the final analysis serve the question of peace-making efforts in the region. "The lack of credibility of the former government under Netanyahu who used to promise one thing and do the opposite had badly affected the peace process, and we hope that this era of monkey politics is over," said one observer in Ramallah.

Barak said he would work simultaneously both on the Palestinian and Syrian tracks of the peace talks. He committed his new government to peace with the Arabs based on UN Resolutions 242 and 338 and stretched the main guidelines of his new government by reiterating his intention to pull the Israeli army out of Lebanon in less than a year and addressed Syrian President Hafez Assad saying: "We were bitter enemies in the battlefield, and it is about time to work together to bring real and genuine peace for our future generations."

Barak referred to what he stated the "right of the Palestinians right to live free," a new term never used before by any of the Israeli officials. He said Israel respects all its international agreements, a reference to the Wye Agreements and the two phases of withdrawal of the Israeli army from the West Bank. Barak's reference to UN Resolutions 242 and 338, a reference the former government omitted from its guidelines, was a clear signal that Israel is ready for further territorial compromises for the sake of peace with the Arabs.

What is significant in the new Barak government is the appointment of Haim Ramon as a Cabinet minister in the prime minsiter's office in charge of Jerusalem affairs. Ramon was minister of interior under Yitzhak Rabin when the Israeli government decided to build the new Jewish settlement of Har Homa on Jabal Abu Ghaneim in East Jerusalem. Ramon told Israel Radio Tuesday that at the time of the decision, there was a quiet approval by the PNA for the decision since the government "wanted to allocate two thirds of the apartments for Jews and one third for Palestinians living in East Jerusalem." He added that the lack of confidence between the PNA and the Netanyahu government had disrupted the plans in Jabal Abu Ghaneim and transformed the matter into a major point of crisis between the two sides.

Ramon also said he was opposed to any form of Jewish construction in Ras Al Amoud, where another Jewish settlement is planned by leading American Jewish financier Irving Moscowitz.

The appointment of Ramon as minister in charge of Jerusalem affairs indicates that Barak might also adopt Ramon's stands on the question of Jewish settlement in the occupied part of the city.

The Israeli government press office earlier in the day issued a statement with the full guidelines of the new government under Ehud Barak. It read, in part, as follows:

The main objectives of the Government are: national and personal security by way of a determined struggle against terrorism; an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict by achieving genuine peace; the prevention of war and bloodshed; the war on unemployment and the cultivation of stable, employment-creating growth; the reduction of social gaps; the promotion of immigration and immigrant absorption through integration and partnership; the creation of living conditions and an environment that offer a sense of purpose and hope, and promote immigration to Israel; the fortification of democracy, the rule of law, Jewish heritage and human rights, with respect for the courts; the promise of equal opportunity for all; the making education its top priority, ensuring an education for the young generation from kindergarten through university, and; the struggle against violence and traffic accidents.

The Government of Israel will act to bring an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict through peaceful means, and by standing firm on Israel's national security, integrity and development. The Government will strive to establish peace based on mutual respect, ensuring the security and other vital interests of the State and offering personal security for all its citizens.

The Government will work for national unity -- bringing together all citizens of Israel, cultivating tolerance, moderation and respect for others -- and to close rifts among the nation, giving hope for a better future for all citizens Arabs and Jews, secular and religious.

Previous Stories:
  Palestinian denouncement of Barak's criticism for US president's statements regarding refugees   (7/5/1999)
  Palestinian Authority expects stop to establishment of settlements   (7/3/1999)
  Barak talks on the telephone to Arafat   (7/3/1999)
  Arafat urges Barak to commit to peace agreements   (6/30/1999)

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