PRIME MINISTER SHARON MEETS BELGIUM PRIME MINISTER VERHOFSTADT
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Tuesday, 15 March, 2005

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met this afternoon (Tuesday), 15.3.2005, with
Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, who arrived in Israel for the
dedication of the new Yad Vashem museum ( http://tinyurl.com/54tqr ).

Prime Minister Sharon said that Israel is interested in advancing relations
with Belgium in a variety of areas and in expanding dialogue with it.
Israel is concerned over the increase of anti-Semitism in Europe, including
Belgium. There is great importance in education and legislation on the
matter. Prime Minister Sharon expressed his appreciation for on King of the
Belgians Albert II's participation in the memorial ceremonies at Auschwitz.

Prime Minister Sharon noted the importance of the decision taken by the
European Union to include Hamas on the list of terrorist organizations. It
is also important that EU member states move to actively implement the
freezing of funds that are transferred to the organization and to deal with
the infrastructures that raise money for it in Europe. The Prime Minister
emphasized that it is important that the European Union acts decisively to
include the Hezbollah on its list of terrorist organizations and that they
should not distinguish between the military and diplomatic branches of
Hezbollah, which presents the main danger to Abu Mazen's regime. Hezbollah
encourages terrorist activities and threatens the ceasefire Abu Mazen is
attempting to arrange with the Palestinian rejectionist organizations, as
was seen in the recent terrorist attack in Tel Aviv
( http://tinyurl.com/4lvjx ). The Prime Minister said that he believes that
a new opportunity has been created with Abu Mazen's rule. There has been a
start to Palestinian activity, mainly in deploying forces, however active
operations have yet to take place. We will give every opportunity to Abu
Mazen; however, it is important to know which direction he is moving in. He
must begin to destroy the terrorist organizations.

Prime Minister Sharon remarked that it has been made clear to the
Palestinians that they must fulfill their responsibilities, mainly a genuine
war against terrorism and dismantling terrorist infrastructures. Without
genuine counter-terrorist action by the Palestinians, it would not be
possible to advance anything in the diplomatic process.

Belgian Prime Minister Verhofstadt said that the best way to fight
anti-Semitism is to mark the terrible events of the Holocaust. The Belgian
Prime Minister told Prime Minister Sharon that Belgium has decided to mark
Holocaust Remembrance Day and that the country has joined the international
effort to remember the Holocaust.

Belgian Prime Minister Verhofstadt said that the key to the success of the
process lies with deep changes within the Palestinian Authority. It is
important that the Palestinians establish a democracy, cease educating
towards hatred of Israel, fight against corruption and uphold human rights.
The European Union is anxious to aid in these matters.

Belgian Prime Minister Verhofstadt said that he would work to implement the
European Union's decision regarding Hamas in Belgium itself.

The two Prime Ministers also discussed matters relating to Syria, Lebanon
and Iran.

On the matter of the security fence ( http://tinyurl.com/4tbr9 ), Prime
Minister Sharon said that it was built, and is being built, in order to
reduce terrorism originating in Judea and Samaria. So far, it has proven
itself. It is not a political border, and the permanent settlement borders
will not be decided based on the positioning of the fence today. The fence
is an important means of achieving peace, since it prevents terrorists from
blowing up the process. We hope that the day will come where there will be
no terrorism and no smuggling, and we will be able to discuss dismantling
the fence. Today, it helps both sides to make progress. We are doing
everything to reduce the harm to the Palestinian population and to this end
we have invested considerable resources.

Belgian Prime Minister Verhofstadt invited Prime Minister Sharon to visit
Belgium.