Israeh-Palestinian relations turned extremely bitter in late September 2000, when IsraeU Likud Party leader Ariel Sharon made a visit to the Temple Mount , home to the Muslim Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock. The event spurred violence between Palestinians and Israeli security forces in the West Bank and Gaza. As the clashes continued, Barak's public support dwin- dled. He resigned that December, calling for a special prime minister election to be held the following February. Sharon defeated Barak by a landslide in that election. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks sparked renewed interest in the Middle East peace process. However, following several suicide bombings in Jerusalem and Haifa during December, the IsraeU miUtary began to lead strikes against Pales- tinian targets in the West Bank and Gaza, including some inside refugee camps, and intergroup violence erupted once again. Unfortunately, in the Summer of 2002, both suicide attacks and Israeli military violence have escalated throughout Israel and the Palestinian Territories. At press time, the intense conflict continues, with a seemingly endless barrage of terrorist attacks and military actions. Violence has not remained limited to the Palestinian territories, but rather has spread to areas that were previously con- sidered safe. A number of events that received considerable news coverage have been the five-week standoff between Palestinians and Israeli security forces at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity , Israel's siege of a refugee camp in the West Bank town of Jenin , which prompted international concern about human rights violations, as well as the recent string of suicide attacks in late June which served to increase hostility on both sides. Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah has recently proposed a plan in which Arab states would recognize Israel's right to exist in return for its return to pre-1967 borders. The plan has received support from other Arab countries, and also from the United States. Although Israel has not agreed to the plan, it has shown increased interest in resolving its conflicts with the Arab world. Sharon has signaled his willingness to engage in cease-fire negotiations with the Palestinians, and in March 2002, he lifted a ban that had restricted Arafat's travel to the West Bank town of Ramallah. At press time, Israeli and Palestinian officials have recently begun talks. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS BASIC LAWS The State of Israel was founded on May 14, 1948 as a parliamentary democracy. Although it was stated in the Proclamation of Independence that the first Constit- uent Assembly would draft a constitution for Israel, disagreement among the reli- gious parties precluded the ratification of a written constitution at that time. In its place, a series of Basic Laws were laid out as a framework for legislation. These laws were to be incorporated into a future constitution.