New York Times: Israel's top military man criticizes Israeli policy against Palestinians

The New York Times reported yesterday that "Israel's top-ranking soldier said that current hard-line policies against the Palestinians were working against Israel's'strategic interest' and had contributed to the downfall of the previous Palestinian prime minister, Israeli news organizations reported on Wednesday."

The report said Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was "'furious' about the comments, attributed to Lt. Gen. Moshe Yaalon, the military's chief of staff, Israeli television stations reported later in the day."

The New York Times reported about the reports that the official said that Israeli acts "increases hatred for Israel and strengthens the terror organizations."

The New York Times reported that "General Yaalon also said that Israel should have eased punitive measures to bolster the fortunes of the former Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, who resigned on Sept. 6 after only four months on the job," with Sharon seen as never having taken steps to convince Palestinians that the June peace plan, "would bring about any real improvements in their lives."