Occupied Jerusalem: 3 October, 2001 (IAP News)
An acrimonious argument erupted during the Israeli cabinet weekly
session last week between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and
his foreign Minister Shimon Peres
during which Sharon reportedly yelled at Peres, saying "don't worry about American pressure, we control America."
According to Israel radio (in hebrew) Kol Yisrael, Peres warned
Sharon Wednesday that refusing to heed incessant American
requests for a cease-fire with the Palestinians would endanger
Israeli interests and "turn the US against us."
At this point, a furious Sharon reportedly turned toward Peres,
saying
"every time we do something you tell me Americans will do this and will do that. I want to tell you something very clear, don't worry about American pressure on Israel, we, the Jewish
people control America, and the Americans know it."
The radio said Peres and other cabinet ministers warned Sharon
against saying what he said in public because "it would cause us
a public relations disaster."
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