Labour will not join Israeli government: Peres

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2004

JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israeli opposition leader and Labour party chief Shimon Peres ruled out joining a national unity government under Ariel Sharon, even if the hawkish premier implements a controversial plan for evacuating Gaza.

"If Sharon will take steps according to his plan and withdraws from Gaza, we will give him the parliamentary support, but we will not jump into the government, or join the government," Peres told reporters here Wednesday at a meeting of the Foreign Press Association.

He was referring to plans which Sharon announced last week for the evacuation of 17 settlements from the Gaza Strip, saying that in the future no Jews would live there.

"Labour does not look for government, or participation in government, but for a policy," Peres said....