TEL AVIV, Israel, Dec. 31 -- Prime Minister Ehud Barak said Sunday that if the Palestinians rejected President Clinton's proposals as a basis for continuing peace talks, Israel would move toward "a unilateral separation."
A "unilateral separation" means that Israel will decide what parts of the occupied territories it keeps, move to that line, and hold it even by force rather than try to compromise with the Palestinians. Such a move is also likely to have a negative effect on the Palestinian economy that it largely dependent on Israel.
Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami said Sunday that Israel had two options: A unilateral departure and a unilateral separation, or an agreed one as result of diplomatic negotiations.
"There is no other way," he said.
Barak told the Cabinet that Palestinian acceptance of Clinton's proposals would enable a continuation of the negotiating process.
Israel would, however, reject the Palestinian demand for a right of return for their refugees, and Barak said he would not sign any document that transfers sovereignty over the Temple Mount to the Palestinians. The Temple Mount in Jerusalem is the site of the first and second Jewish Temples and is the holiest site to Jews. It is the third holiest site to Muslims who believe the Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven from there.
The Prime Minister's Media Advisor said Barak had told the cabinet that if the Palestinians were not ready to move the process forward at this time, "their negative answer is liable to lead to increased violence. In such a situation, Israel will take a time-out and prepare for a unilateral separation while leaving the door ajar to a continuation of the process when the Palestinians are ready for it."
Barak said Israel gave "a positive answer in principle" to Clinton, on condition the Palestinians' answer is also positive.
In doing so, Barak continued, Israel proved its commitment to the peace process.
The prime minister's office said Barak had assigned a team of experts to recommend practical proposals on how it would be possible to live in Jerusalem "if an agreement is reached on the basis of President Clinton's ideas." Clinton proposed dividing the city between the Jews and the Arabs.
Israel also agreed to let in 9,000 foreign workers into Israel to replace some of the Palestinian construction and agriculture workers, a spokesman for the Housing Ministry reported. In the past, the government resisted Israeli employers demands to bring foreign workers, and recently allowed some Palestinians to come back to work. However, two pipe bombs exploded in a Tel Aviv bus last week, wounding 14, and the government again closed the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
