Israel has repeated its position that it will not deal with Yasser Arafat and there are reports it will pull out of the "road map" peace plan, if the Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas is ousted. Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom reiterated Sunday the Israel policy that it will not deal with Mr. Arafat.
Israeli Radio reports Israeli officials have told the Palestinian leadership Israel will withdraw its support of the road map peace plan, if the Abbas government falls.
The Palestinian parliament plans to hold a vote of confidence on the Abbas government, Thursday. The vote had been set for Monday, but was delayed following reports Washington asked that Mr. Abbas be given more time to muster support.
A power struggle between Mr. Abbas and Mr. Arafat has intensified recently, over control of Palestinian security forces.