PM: PA must end anti-Israel incitement immediately

The Palestinians must end anti-Israel incitement in the media and in schools before the first phase of the road map to peace can be implemented, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told Likud activists on Thursday evening.

Sharon, who was addressing his supporters in Tel Aviv, also announced for the second time that he plans to run for prime minister in the next election, reiterated his intention to implement the plan to disengage from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and said he intends to ultimately reach a "diplomatic arrangement" with the Palestinians.

Anti-Israel propaganda is "the root and foundation for the spreading of the phenomenon of terror and suicide bombers," Sharon said. "Palestinian education and propaganda are more dangerous to Israel than Palestinian weapons."

He called on the Palestinian leaders to put an "immediate" end to incitement in media outlets and in the education system - including changing some of the textbooks now in use. Sharon said the changes must be made "before the first phase of the road map is fully implemented."

Meanwhile, foreign ministers from countries backing the stalled road map initiative for Middle East peace will meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders next week in hopes of restarting peace talks in the wake of Yasser Arafat's death, officials from both sides told The Associated Press on Thursday.

But Sharon's call for an end to anti-Israel propaganda doesn't detract from Israel's demand that Palestinians put an end to terrorism, the prime minister said.

Collecting weapons and dismantling the terror infrastructure is also necessary, Sharon said, and constitute a litmus test of the new Palestinian leadership's success. However, carrying out those tasks is part of a long process, he said.

Sharon also said he wants to advance Israel's relations with the Palestinians.

"I plan to find every possible way in which the new Palestinian leadership will be prepared to begin contacts so as to start advancing our relations with the Palestinians," he said. "I hope that the future will lead to quiet, security and a diplomatic arrangement."

	Prime Minister Ariel Sharon addressing Likud activists at party headquarters in Tel Aviv Thursday night. (Alon Ron)