Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak’s resignation drew cautious reactions Saturday especially from key players in the peace process such as Egypt, the United States and the EU.
The White House refrained from passing judgment on Barak's decision, with spokeswoman Nanda Chitre calling it "an internal Israeli matter."
"The United States continues to support the peace process and is committed to help the parties," Chitre said, with the caveat that the next steps in the process are "up to them."
She said national security adviser Sandy Berger had informed US President Bill Clinton of Barak's decision.
Gilad Sher, Barak's chief of staff, seemed to be trying to reassure Washington, telling CNN that despite his resignation and ongoing violence Barak still hoped for a peace agreement with the Palestinians, even before Clinton leaves office in a month.
"He will as he has until now pursue the peace process with the goal of pursuing an agreement as complete as possible, even before President Clinton leaves office," Sher said.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa called the resignation "a significant development in the internal political situation in Israel," adding that Egypt will follow events as "they can have an influence on the peace process."
"Barak has probably reached the conclusion that his government was not able to function in this grave security situation and political confusion," he said in a statement.
French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine, whose country is president of the European Union, also called Barak's resignation an internal affair, with Barak "the sole judge."
Vedrine said he would go ahead with a planned trip to the region in the coming week.
"What is important to us is that the Palestinians and Israelis hold firmly, without any useless detour, to the Sharm el-Sheikh agreements" reached verbally in October in Egypt.
Many in the Likud party accused Barak of desperation, saying his resignation was a cheap way to avoid Netanyahu.
"Even under the best of circumstances, even if Barak wins the election, which I am sure he will not, he will not have any majority in parliament," Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert told CNN.
"We all know the reason he submitted this resignation is that he is afraid of Benjamin Netanyahu."
Eli Yishai, leader of the powerful ultra-Orthodox Shas party which has frequently played the role of king-maker in Israeli coalition governments, said his party would push for a change in the law to allow Netanyahu to run.
"We must make it legally possible for Netanyahu to run in elections. If Ariel Sharon is the only candidate against Barak and Netanyahu cannot run, then we will support Sharon," he said – (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
