DATE=10/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ISRAEL-POLITICS (long)
NUMBER=2-267873
BY-LINE=ROSS DUNN
DATELINE=JERUSALEM
CONTENT=
INTRO: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has formally invited the right-wing Opposition leader Ariel Sharon to join him in a "national emergency government". Mr Barak made the offer after launching a series of rocket attacks against Palestinian Authority targets. Ross Dunn in Jerusalem has more on the story.
TEXT: Mr. Barak has offered Likud Party leader Mr. Sharon - a hated figure for many Palestinians - a major role in a new government.
The move is likely to be seen as highly provocative with Mr. Sharon being blamed for igniting the current wave of violence in the region with his visit to a shrine in Jerusalem, holy to Muslims and Jews.
Mr. Barak says he has asked the Likud Party to join his coalition in order to unite Israelis at a time of deepening crisis with Palestinians and the Arab world.
The Prime Minister made the offer while briefing Mr. Sharon on the murder of three Israeli soldiers by a Palestinian mob in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Following the killings, Mr. Barak ordered a series of retaliatory strikes against Palestinian command centers.
The targets included the Palestinian Authority's headquarters in Ramallah.
Rockets were also fired near Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat's offices in Gaza City.
In the face of the current crisis, the Prime Minister said that Mr. Sharon could make an important contribution to a government of national unity.
Mr. Barak says that he will continue discussions with Mr. Sharon over the weekend with the aim of reaching an agreement. (Signed)
NEB/RD/PT
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