Ex-security chiefs rebuke Israel over crisis

IN unusually bold criticism, four former Israeli security chiefs yesterday warned that the country is headed for disaster unless Prime Minister Ariel Sharon reverses course and moves quickly to settle the conflict with the Palestinians.

The declaration by former directors of the vaunted Shin Bet agency come as Mr Sharon weighs up whether to accept a Palestinian truce offer that would not be accompanied by a Palestinian crackdown on militant groups. In the past, Sharon has rejected such a plan.

Israel’s security services are reportedly divided, with the military in favour and the current Shin Bet chief opposed. The military believes a ceasefire is a step in the right direction and is ready to minimise operations, including halting targeted killings of Palestinian militants, the Maariv daily reported Friday. The Shin Bet fears armed groups will use the lull to reorganise more attacks.