CABINET COMMUNIQUE 07 December, 2003
(Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat)

[IMRA: Though apparently considerable time was spend discussing Min.
Olmert's proposal for a unilateral withdrawal - including PM Sharon's
commitment that Jews would always be in Hebron, none of this made its way
into the communique. While the IDF recently praised Egypt for acting to
stop the tunnels, Israel Radio reported that during the course of
Chief-of-Staff Yaalon's description of IDF efforts to close the tunnels he
mentioned how tunnels open at Egyptian Army positions - but that Yaalon
thinks that this is a "local initiative" rather than an initiative of the
Egyptian Government.]

At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 7.12.2003:

1. Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon briefed ministers on IDF
counter-terrorism activities in Judea, Samaria
Regarding the situation in northern Israel, Chief-of-Staff Yaalon said that
while the area is - on the whole - quiet, Hizballah and its supporters
continue to aid Palestinian terrorism by transferring considerable sums in
order to finance acts of terrorism, weapons smuggling and professional
training.

Chief-of-Staff Yaalon referred to the Egyptian-mediated discussions being
held in Cairo between the various Palestinian organizations on a ceasefire,
while at the same time continuing to open fire at road traffic, and
launching mortar and small arms fire at [Jewish] communities and IDF
positions in the Gaza Strip. There are also attempts to perpetrate suicide
attacks inside Israel.

Chief-of-Staff Yaalon detailed the IDF's achievements in locating and
destroying tunnels for smuggling war materiel [in the Gaza Strip],
discovering explosives laboratories, and the recent operation in Ramallah
( www.idf.il/newsite/english/120203-2.stm ), as well as the killing
of three terrorists near the security fence in the Gaza Strip
( www.idf.il/english/announcements/2003/november/27.stm ).

Chief-of-Staff Yaalon referred to policy toward the Palestinian civilian
population and made it clear that the IDF has recently eased a series of
restrictions in lower-risk areas
( www.idf.il/newsite/english/120303-4.stm and
www.idf.il/newsite/english/120103-3.stm ).

2. The Cabinet discussed the representation of Israeli positions
internationally, including difficulties faced on professional and financial
levels. Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom emphasized the need for cooperation
between the various bodies involved in representing Israel abroad, as well
as the need for a unified message and an increase in activity by government
spokespersons in the Prime Minister's Office and the Foreign Ministry.

The government appointed a team headed by Cabinet Secretary Yisrael Maimon
to submit a list of recommendations on this matter to the Cabinet within 45
days.