The Knesset easily rejected two no-confidence motions Wednesday aimed against the government’s peace initiative.
The motions were introduced by the rightwing opposition Tehiya and Moledet parties to protest upcoming talks Israel will hold with Egypt and the United States on an Israeli-Palestinian dialogue to be held in Cairo next year.
Foreign Minister Moshe Arens will be going to Washington in about three weeks to meet with Secretary of State James Baker and Egyptian Foreign Minister Esmat Abdel Meguid.
Minister of Environmental Protection Ronni Milo, who spoke for the government on the issue, said Israel viewed “gravely” the reports that Egypt was serving as “postman” for the Palestine Liberation Organization.
“Israel needs no mediator to establish contacts with the PLO” if it wanted to, Milo said.
Israel’s policy is not to negotiate with the PLO, directly or indirectly under any circumstances.
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