Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said on Wednesday that his self-imposed freeze on using his son, Omri, as an emissary to Palestinian President Yasser Arafat "worsened the deterioration in the security situation," reported Haaretz newspaper.
As proof of his argument, which was presented to the High Court of Justice by attorney Yaacov Neeman, Sharon said that the recent wave of bombings, ambushes and shootings, including Monday's murder of Jewish settler Asaf Hershkowitz, took place after Sharon suspended his use of his son as a channel to Arafat.
Meretz party members petitioned the court to prevent the prime minister from using his son as an emissary and issued a statement condemning “Sharon's linking the recent terrorism to the halt in his use of his son as an emissary.”
Omri, who played a major role in his father's election campaign, has no official government function, but has been dispatched by his father on several occasions to meet with Palestinian leaders, including President Yasser Arafat, his number-two man Abu Mazen, and others.
During a telephone conversation with AFP, Omri Sharon refused to comment on his diplomatic role, saying he feared such comments could be used to harm his efforts – Albawaba.com
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