Israeli Defense Minister Ezer Weizman indicated that Israel will stiffen its security requirements in the aftermath of yesterday’s terrorist massacre but does not believe that should alter the outcome of the presently stalled peace talks with Egypt or preclude negotiations with Jordan over the West Bank if Jordan is willing to negotiate.
Weizman made his remarks in an ABC television interview taped yesterday just before he cut short his Washington visit and returned to Israel after learning of the terrorist attack. He said the attack “will have to reflect somehow the way we present our defense and security problems.”
He said that Israel must maintain military security measures on the West Bank “or we’ll have trouble not only from Lebanon (where yesterday’s assault was based) but we might have trouble like we had today from the West Bank.” He added, however, that apart from security considerations the West Bank poses “a very discussable issue” if Jordan wants to negotiate it with Israel.
Weizman said that Israel intends to take action against the Palestine Liberation Organization which claimed responsibility for yesterday’s attack, although he avoided the word “reprisals.” He said, “We know where it came from. We know who is responsible and we will have to do something so things like this do not happen again.”
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