Israel will not launch attacks or raids against Palestinians if the situation remains "calm" and it is "not provoked," Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Thursday.
However, Israel would act if it had intelligence that armed groups were planning attacks on Israel and would respond if Palestinians fired rockets at Israel, he added. "If there is quiet, we of course will not act," Sharon stated.
Speaking to Israeli journalists in Tel Aviv, the Israeli leader reiterated that he was determined to carry out his plan to evacuate settlements from the Gaza Strip and the northern West Bank.
Sharon said he would be willing to "make painful concessions for true peace," but reiterated his demand that Palestinians crack down on armed groups. "On subject of terror, Israel will not make any compromises," he stressed. "In regards to the security of Israel, there will not be any compromises. I hope the new leadership will act in this regard so it will be possible to progress."
Regarding the internal situation, Sharon said Thursday that he would start talks with the opposition Labor Party and ultra-Orthodox parties in an attempt to strengthen his minority coalition.
