Jerusalem's Muslim spiritual leader predicted war between Israel and its Arab neighbors if Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak forms a national unity government, in an interview with El Pais published Saturday.
"Ehud Barak has not abandoned the idea of forming a government of national unity. If it is formed, then there really will be a war, I can assure you. And it will not be only a war against the Palestinians, but against Lebanon or Syria," the mufti Sheikh Ikrima Sabri told the daily.
"If it ends by there being a war in the strict meaning of the word, Israel will be responsible. They will be the ones to have started it," the Sheikh said.
"The peace process has led to nothing. During this time, frustration has accumulated and that's what has caused the current explosion in the streets. Everyone has had enough."
Barak's stated aim to form a government of national unity with rightwing opposition hawk Ariel Sharon has been condemned by the Palestinians as a kiss of death to the seven-year peace process begun with the Oslo accords in 1993.
However, negotiations have stalled over Sharon's insistence on the power of veto over questions concerning the peace process – MADRID (AFP)
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