Chairman Ehud Barak of the Labor party told the Labor Knesset faction Monday that anyone who wants to enter the area A of the Palestinian Authority must receive approval in advance from the Israel Defense Forces. Referring to Sunday's unauthorized march into Jericho by a group advocating a permanent Jewish presence there, the defense minister, stated such behavior is unacceptable and will continue to be unacceptable.

Throughout the weekly meeting before the Knesset session, Barak gave a brief preview of his trip to the United States, which starts Tuesday. He also paid tribute to Rabbi Menachem Porush who passed away Sunday evening