Defense Minister Ariel Sharon assured Knesset members today that Egypt would not end the peace process with Israel after the evacuation of Sinai is completed next April 26.
Briefing the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Security Committee on his visit to Cairo last week, Sharon said that after the Sinai withdrawal, Egypt will press Israel for more concessions but will not launch war against Israel or break diplomatic relations. Therefore, Sharon recommended that Israel tone down its political declarations and not panic as the withdrawal date approaches.
Hawks and doves on the committee joined in a call for the immediate evacuation of the northern Sinai settlers, some of whom are quarreling with the government over compensation while others oppose withdrawal under any circumstances. Danny Rosolio of the Labor Alignment and Likud MKs Amnon Lin and Dror Seigerman agreed that upholding the law took precedence over any other considerations. Sharon promised to present their views to the Cabinet.
Sharon disagreed with former Premier Yitzhak Rabin of the Labor Party who proposed that if no autonomy agreement is reached with Egypt by the Sinai withdrawal deadline, Israel should give a “second thought” to the entire peace process. Sharon said, “I am not in favor of any second thought but had I been, it would have been a very difficult decision which should be based on a wide national consensus.”
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