Moussa: the Israeli peace camp has started to move

The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Maher said yesterday that "the peace camp in Israel has started to move."

Maher added in a meeting with journnalists that the "coming phase will be difficult because of the approaching elections phase in Israel," adding that, on the opposite side, there is a positive phenomenon in that the peace camp in Israel has started to move after it used to be silent, a matter which should be encouraged on the ground that peace achieves the interests of all."

The chairman of the Labor party in Israel Ameram Mitznag, who stresses he will win the legislative elections on january 28, said just one week earlier that he will start negotiations with the Palestinians especialy after he wins. However, opinion polls said that the Likud party led by prime minister Ariel Sharon will vastly win the elections.

Maher, on the other hand, said that the invitation was extended to Egypt to take part in the conference which will be hosted in Britain concerning the Palestinian issues and the reforms inside the Palestinian Authority due to be held on January 13 and 14, adding " it is not logical to talk about Palestinian reforms at a time when Israel proceeds in pactices and policies and statements that have no intention to show a response."