Posted on 06/25/2007 5:43:44 PM PDT by BlackVeil
Speaking at the four-way summit in the Egyptian resort of Sharm Al Sheik, Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, stated that he would seek the cabinet approval to release 250 detainees from Fateh movement as part of a series of measures to boost the power of the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli online daily, Haaretz reported.
The summit includes Israel represented by Olmert, Jordan represented by King Abdullah II, Egypt represented by president Hosni Mubarak, and the Palestinian Authority represented by President Mahmoud Abbas.
Olmert stated that the detainees who will be freed “are not held responsible by Israel for Israeli deaths”.
He considered this proposal as a “gesture of good” will which he will present to his cabinet in its next meeting, and the freed detainees “must sign a commitment not to return to violence”.
At least 10.000 detainees, including elderly, children, and women, are currently imprisoned by Israel. Some of them suffer from serious illnesses and not receiving the needed medical treatment.
Yet, Olmert ruled out the possibility that Israel would free Palestinian detainees as long as the captured Israeli corporal, Gilad Shalit, is not freed by his captures in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Olmert told the Egyptian president during a meeting with him that Israel is willing to help in strengthening the power of Abbas and his loyal security forces, and asked Mubarak to increase his efforts aimed at stopping weapon smuggling into Gaza.
Haaretz added that Olmert did not announce that Israel will remove checkpoints in the West Bank since the Israeli Army objected to this procedure.
Meanwhile, Abbas urged Olmert to resume what he described as “serious talks” on a future Palestinian State adding that the region is now “at a cross road between peace and violence”.
Abbas’ aide, Dr. Sa’eb Erekat, stated that Abbas and Olmert agreed to establish a joint committee that would be in charge of discussing the Israeli withdrawal from the areas it reoccupied since the outbreak of the second Intifada in September 2000.
Haaretz also said that this committee will discuss the issue of the deported Fateh men who were expelled by the army from Bethlehem to the Gaza Strip.
Moreover, Abbas demanded that Israel should halt its settlement construction and expansion in the occupied West Bank, and asked Olmert to allow the Palestinian who are stuck in Egypt to return to the Gaza Strip.
Regarding the new Palestinian government, appointed by Abbas, Olmert said that Israel would recognize this government, headed by Dr. Salaam Fayyad, and would hold talks with it in order to advance the peace process, and the Road Map peace plan.
Commenting on the audio tape released by the captured Israeli corporal, Gilad Shalit, Olmert said that his captured are trying to emotionally manipulate the Israeli public.
On his part, the Egyptian President, Mubarak, said that the summit comes to support President Abbas and the legitimacy of his government, and stated that the territorial unity of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip must be achieved.
Mubarak also said that all parties must work in order to stabilize the situation, called for the re-launch of the diplomatic process, and urged Israel to removed West Bank checkpoint in order to ease the suffering of the Palestinian people”.
King Abdullah of Jordan stated that there is an opportunity for a better future, and that there is an opportunity for “achieving the ling waited dream”, and called for serious negotiations.
King Abdullah added that the “path of peace is clear, and so the path of violence”. He further stated that the peace process must be restarted and must follow the two-state principle, a Palestinian state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, living alongside the state of Israel.
Were is Netanyahu when you need him?
Has Netenyahu said anything about this?
Since Olmert’s coalition has 78 of the 120 seats, Netanyahu is sitting out in the cold. And probably will be doing so until March 2010, when new elections have to be held.
Israel’s loss …
Ok and tell me why would Israel benefit from strengthening the enemy???
Moreover, Abbas demanded that Israel should halt its settlement construction and expansion in the occupied West Bank, and asked Olmert to allow the Palestinian who are stuck in Egypt to return to the Gaza Strip.
So one one hand Olmert is asked to strengthen the enemy, and then no sooner is he asked that, the same enemy is making demands on Olmert? Is this the Twilight Zone??? They need to start considering nukes as things are no longer making sense, and if Israel waits too long, they will be the people without a home.
They have been backing Fateh for a long time, and apparently feel that they cannot give up this policy. They should have given it up the day that Fateh lost the election to Hamas. Encouraging them to cling on to power is not legit.
The both want to kill the jews so the jews should kill them both. Simple.
Sounds like they were pressured to back that policy from other arab countries though. Too bad they caved in to that pressure instead of saying hell no!
If Olmert hasn't given away the "farm" by that time. There may be nothing left for Bibi to "prime minister" to.
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