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President Shimon Peres. (Archives) Last update - 22:07 20/01/2008 Peres: Public will rule on any deal reached with Palestinians By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Shimon Peres  President Shimon Peres said on Sunday that when a political agreement is reached between Israel and the Palestinians, it will be brought before the Israeli public before being signed. "In my opinion, the government conducting the negotiations should formulate its opinion, and bring it before the people," Peres said in a speech at the eighth annual Herzliya Conference of the Institute for Policy and Strategy, which took place at the Knesset on Sunday. "The plan would allow the people to truly vote. They are the way to deal with the opposition. It's not enough to criticize the conduct of the negotiations; [the opposition] should provide an alternative," Peres continued. Advertisement Peres also called on the public to join hands in the military effort against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, despite disagreements over diplomatic talks with the Palestinian Authority. "Through judging the security situation in Gaza, we will reach a national agreement - an agreement that will include the means of responding [to terror] and the protection and treatment of the needs of the residents. Gaza is a security problem more than it's a political problem, since nobody is considering resettling it." Ashkenazi: There is a possibility of combat on more than one front The IDF Chief of Staff, Gabi Ashkenazi, also spoke at the conference, and said that "the lessons learned from the Second Lebanon War bring us to the conclusion that a Middle East that is going through real processes stands before us, and there is a possibility of combat on more than one front." Ashkenazi confirmed that "the IDF is prepared and will prepare its targets to defend the country before its too late - with or without an agreement." Ashkenazi said that the IDF must deal with the threat of weapons of mass destruction, including Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons, and threats from terror and guerilla groups. He commented on the threats to the home front, specifically regarding the firing of Qassam rockets, noting that despite efforts, no perfect solution to stop the firing has been found. "In the framework of all the combat conflicts there is at least one common ground - in every conflict, the threat to the home front increases and becomes an inseparable part of the front," he said. "In every face-to-face conflict, we left with the superior hand. This caused our enemies to strike Israel's underbelly. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Vision of cooperation Saudi prince says if Israel leaves Arab land, it could join the Arab world. At odds with PM Bolton says the final IDF op in Lebanon had no impact on UN truce talks.   1.   Rught, but how can we believe him? 22:07  |  jackie 20/01/08   2.   Jackie in Florida (Post No. 2) 22:46  |  Johnny Weintraub 20/01/08   3.   Peres 23:02  |  bob 20/01/08   4.   Oust Peres Presidency & Expell Terror PLO-PA w/ Terror Supporters 23:21  |  Joseph E . 20/01/08   5.   Jackie: artificial respiration 23:21  |  AliciaYasmeen 20/01/08   6.   A deal with the "palestinians" 23:55  |  VICTIMSofARAB TERROR 20/01/08   7.   the man who never was is going to consult the public after the ev 00:02  |  v hardman 21/01/08   8.   Only if there are ELECTIONS Mr. Peres 00:24  |  Avi 21/01/08   9.   In 48 Arabs Leaders Lured Arabs out of Jewish Lands 00:24  |  Joseph E . 21/01/08   10.   Peres With Olmert Have joined Arab Jihad 00:30  |  Joseph E . 21/01/08   11.   Wahabism Skullduggery Must Not Be Promoted by Peres with Olmert 00:35  |  Joseph E . 21/01/08   12.   Peres Is an Idiot or a Jihadist under Israeli Disguise 00:59  |  Joseph E . 21/01/08   13.   is anyone, better than our leaders willing to step up? 02:26  |  Joey 21/01/08   14.   Death of the Bush Doctrine 02:28  |  Joseph E . post 1 21/01/08   15.   Death of the Bush Doctrine 02:29  |  Joseph E . post 2 21/01/08   16.   Israel and the Dawning of the Police State 03:07  |  Joseph E . 21/01/08   17.   Israel and the Dawning of the Police State 03:08  |  Joseph E . 21/01/08   18.   How nice, President Peres allows the people to vote! 03:14  |  Maureen Ann 21/01/08   19.   sounds like a good plan; more like excellent! 06:11  |  eric 21/01/08   20.   The Public Must Reject such agrrement , 07:00  |  Joseph E . 21/01/08

Today Online J'lem sources: Power shortage in Gaza worse than expected Responses: 65 Poll: Only 16% of Israelis back Diaspora input on fate of J'lem Responses: 20 Source: Israel won't free 2/3 of prisoners demanded by Hamas Responses: 10 Israel launches new satellite bolstering ability to spy on Iran Responses: 2 Gideon Levy: The mass killing in Gaza is just hurting both sides Responses: 6 Marek Halter: Mideast peace is inconveivable without Damascus Send response Editorial: Israel musn't give in to Nasrallah's provocations Send response Rosner's Domain Domain's guest: Americans must help improve Israel's education system Why Huckabee worries the Jewish voter 67% of Nevada Jews voted for Clinton Meadow Soprano is more proud of Israel than the US (WTR) Blog & Poll: Can Joe Lieberman convince Jews in Florida to vote for McCain? More Headlines 11:10 Satellite launch bolsters ability to spy on Tehran 10:25 Security officials: Gaza power shortage worse than expected 08:35 Source: Israel won't free 2/3 of prisoners Hamas wants released 05:08 Poll: Only 16% of Israelis back Diaspora input on fate of J'lem 09:19 IDF officer lightly wounded, militant killed in Tul Karm raid 01:58 Bolton: Final IDF op in Lebanon had no impact on UN truce talks 06:16 PM works to pre-empt Labor revolt ahead of Winograd report 04:48 Holocaust survivor kills wife in botched suicide pact 09:18 New industrial dispute looms as lecturers end 90-day strike Previous Editions Select Day 20 jan 18 jan 17 jan 16 jan 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan 11 jan 10 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan

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