Rift emerges in Israeli leadership over Sharon's tactics

The rift between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his much-respected Foreign Minister, Shimon Peres, has apparently widened, with Mr Peres criticising Mr Sharon’s tactics in dealing with the Palestinian intefadeh.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Peres said Israel should not be demanding that the Palestinian Authority crack down on militants and risk civil war unless there are real prospects for a resumption of peace talks.