Jerusalem, 10 December 2000

Prime Minister Barak made the following remarks at the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), December 10, 2000:

"As I told the public last night, I intend to inform President Moshe Katsav of my resignation as prime minister, and to appeal to the nation for a renewed mandate. To this end, I am acting in accordance with article 23(a) of Basic Law: The Government (http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/go.asp?MFAH00hd0) and am informing you, members of the government, of my intention to resign as prime minister and submit a letter to this effect to the president following this meeting.

According to the law, my resignation will enter into effect 48 hours after I will have submitted my letter of resignation to the president. According to article 23(c) of Basic Law: The Government, a special election will be held within 60 days unless the Knesset decides to dissolve itself.

I will also announce my resignation to the Knesset Speaker as required by article 23(b) of Basic Law: The Government."

Also at the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak praised the IDF and the security services for their continuous activity against those elements which are trying to attack us. The Prime Minister said that it is too early to know how the decision on early elections will affect relations with the Palestinians but added that Israel will continue to act to reduce violence, implement the Sharm understandings and leave the door open to the possibility of a resumption of the negotiations.

Prime Minister Barak said that - by virtue of his being Acting Education Minister - he has ordered a re-examination of the issue of the transportation of teachers in Judea and Samaria in light of the recent terrorist attacks; in this context, he has directed that the necessary bullet-proofing be carried out. He said that the government is working in coordination with the relevant authorities regarding the gradual installation of bullet-proofing in Gilo.