elderly statesman’s five-year tenure, at a time when his successor is dealing with a crisis with the Palestinian Authority.
The announcement on the eve of Jewish Passover came shortly after his deputy and Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert broke off ties with the Palestinian Authority saying it was "a hostile authority" and that Israel would act "to prevent the administrative establishment of the Hamas government" there.
"The Palestinian Authority is one authority and does not have two heads; links with it will be reduced and no ties will be held with it. There will be no personal disavowal of the Palestinian Authority chairman" his office said.
FOREIGNERS WARNED
Olmert also warned that "foreign visitors who meet with Hamas officials will not be received for meetings with Israeli officials", but added that his country would continue to "coordinate with the international community regarding humanitarian assistance for the needs of the Palestinian population," but "not via the Palestinian Authority establishment."
At the same time the Israeli military expressed regret Tuesday, April 11, at the death of "innocent Palestinians" in the Gaza Strip, but told Israeli media that the widespread shelling of areas from where Kassams are being launched into Israel would continue.
A 12-year-old Palestinian girl was killed Monday, April 10, by Israeli fire into a residential area in northern Gaza used by Palestinian militants to launch Kassam rockets. Thirteen other members of her family, including toddlers, children and teenagers were reportedly injured in the strike.
MAJOR CHALLENGE
The latest developments come as a major challenge for Olmert, Sharon’s heir apparent. His party, Kadima, won last week’s Israeli election, and commentators said its popularity was a result of Sharon’s legacy.
Tuesday’s declaration that the 78-year old leader was "permanently incapacitated" was seen as largely symbolic gesture as Olmert has been Israel’s de facto leader since January and medical experts believe Sharon’s chances of recovery are extremely slim.
However, under Israeli law an ailing prime minister can only have a temporary replacement for up to 100 days before an official successor must be named. That deadline expires Friday, but because the weeklong Jewish Passover holiday begins Wednesday, April 12, the declaration of permanent incapacitation was moved up to Tuesday, The Associated Press (AP) reported.
OTHER FACILITY
Hospital sources have described Sharon’s situation as "serious but stable," meaning that his life is not in immediate danger. Officials at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, where Sharon is being treated, have said that discussions were still under way on whether to move Sharon to a long-term care facility, AP said.
Christian and Jewish groups in several parts of the world have said they have been praying for Israel’s security and amid concerns over the future over the land of the Bible.
Sharon suffered a major stroke this year, weeks after leaving a tense Likud Party and forming the new centrist Kadima movement, pledging to pull out of large parts of the West Bank and draw Israel’s final borders by 2010. Olmert has said he would like to continue this policy. (With BosNewsLife Research and reports from Israel).
