"The coalition is united," said Ben-Eliezer in response to a reporter's inquiry. "We, the Labor Party, are in it to guarantee that the peace process will start and I'm the one trying to be the bridge. When we come to the conclusion that the process is stuck, we'll have to rethink (whether to stay in the coalition)," he added candidly.

Reaffirming his belief that the Middle East is in a "historic junction," Ben-Eliezer said that time calls for "leaders to receive determined decisions with risks."

Asked what will lead Israel and the Palestinians to direct negotiations, Ben-Eliezer simply said "good will and mutual confidence on both sides."

In what is viewed as Russia's contribution to the easing of tensions between Israel and Syria, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Damascus Tuesday to meet with his Syrian counterpart, Bashar al-Assad.

Medvedev later met with Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, a move harshly criticized by the Israeli government despite reports that Medvedev called on Mashaal to free captive Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit.

In regard to how worried Israel is in light of the Russian- Syrian bond, Ben-Eliezer said that "we're trying to lead a balanced policy and to leave a door open."

"I would be very happy to see Russia help the PNA, to see Russian money and companies investing in the West Bank," Ben- Eliezer added.

The Israeli-Syrian relations have been under the spotlight after the Jewish state accused Syria of giving Lebanon's Shiite political and armed group Hezbollah Scud missiles, an accusation denied by Damascus.

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