Labor Campaign manager Vilnai: I disagree with Mitzna on policy

Aaron Lerner Date: 6 January 2002

Matan Vilnai, who is serving as the Labor Party's campaign manager, stunned
Channel 2 Election Magazine host Gabi Gazit this afternoon when he declared
that he disagreed with Mitzna on policy and that the Labor Party. Vilnai
went on to say that Labor has yet to formally accept Mitzna's program of
unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip to be followed by unilateral
withdrawal from the West Bank if a withdrawal can't be negotiated with the
Palestinians.

Vilnai noted he opposed Mitzna's program and expected the Labor Party to
decide on this matter later. Vilnai added that he hoped his position would
be accepted by the Party.

A startled Gazit pointed out to Vilnai that elections are being held in a
few weeks.

The issue came up when Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert (Likud) who was also
appearing on the program warned that if Mitzna wins the elections he would
unilaterally withdraw, thereby creating a situation that instead of fighting
terror at the source in Palestinian cities, Israel would find itself
defending itself from the Green Line.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
pager 03-6106666 subscriber 4811
Website: http://www.imra.org.il