A Cabinet minister from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's party voiced support yesterday for peace negotiations on the basis of a Saudi initiative that has long been a nonstarter for extremist Israeli leaders.
"What Israel has to do is set the international agenda, certainly on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. By saying this, I believe we must grab the bull by the horns," Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit of the Kadima party told Israel Radio. Israel, Sheetrit said, should tell moderate Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, "let's talk about your initiative." The minister's remarks represented the strongest expression of support yet from a member of the Israeli Cabinet for the Saudi proposal. |