Posted on 10/09/2007 6:23:10 AM PDT by Alouette
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the Knesset at the opening of its Winter Session on Monday that the current Palestinian leadership wants to move forward toward peace with Israel and that he would not use excuses to stall peace talks.
Laying out his agenda for the coming year, Olmert said he planned to make every effort to pursue peace with the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
"The current Palestinian leadership is not a terrorist leadership. President Abbas and Prime Minister Salaam Fayad are committed to all the agreements signed with Israel, and I believe that they want to move ahead together with us on a route that will bring about a change in the reality of relations between us and them," he said.
"I want to serve notice here, in the most resolute way possible, that I do not intend to look for excuses to block a diplomatic process," he said, in a speech occasionally interrupted by hisses from opposition MKs.
Olmert said he has developed a good working relationship with Abbas during recent meetings. Olmert's critics have complained that Abbas is too weak to dismantle armed Palestinian groups or implement a future peace deal.
"An atmosphere of personal trust has been created," Olmert said. "I feel that there is something to talk about, and it's in our interest to talk."
Olmert said Israel would have to give up on some of its deeply held desires - an apparent reference to holding on to the West Bank - and added that the Palestinians "will have to deal with the need to concede part of their dreams in order to build with us a realistic, if not ideal, if not perfect" future of peace and security.
Earlier on Monday, during a Kadima faction meeting, Olmert said that he would make particular efforts to protect the South from the threat of rockets, saying: "We are waiting for the defense minister's proposal on stopping Kassams."
The prime minister added that a constitution would be presented this term.
"Sixty years and no constitution," he lamented. "Efforts will be made for the constitution to be written with broad agreement."
He also said that instead of the budget coming at the end of the session, it would be worked on by the MKs "in the proper time."
Olmert also spoke of changes to the electoral system. "There will not be a revolution, but we will improve the system," he said. "We believe the governmental system does not guarantee the stability we need in our democratic system, so it has to be improved, and we will make a big effort to make the necessary changes. It can be done in this session."
The prime minister also hinted at expected opposition when he said that "we can't allow ourselves the privilege of individual agendas at the expense of priorities that were set by the government and the party, which were the basis of our establishment."
During the meeting, MK Eli Aflalo was formally approved as faction chairman.
Meanwhile, in a speech to the Labor faction, Labor Chairman Ehud Barak said that he would give the "utmost importance to talks between Israel and the Palestinians."
"Israel is very strong and will look for every way to make peace with its neighbors," he said.
Barak added that he was in favor of "political horizons" and of bolstering Abbas. But the Labor chairman emphasized that Israel must protect its interests - "security and others" - during peace talks.
Barak expressed his desire to see the Annapolis conference succeed, adding: "We have to consider the risks we'd face if there is no peace process."
But Barak continued by saying that Israel must also consider the risks of striking a deal with someone who cannot deliver, namely Hamas.
"In the Middle East one must keep one hand on the trigger while the other is outstretched for peace," said the defense minister.
Olmert needs to give up his deeply held desire to be a freaking dictator.
Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.
They want the whole enchilada, not just the West Bank! They will not rest until they get it, either. Peace with the Palestonians (sic) IS MERELY A PIPEDREAM!.............
"The current Palestinian leadership is not a terrorist leadership. President Abbas and Prime Minister Salaam Fayad are committed to all the agreements signed with Israel, and I believe that they want to move ahead together with us on a route that will bring about a change in the reality of relations between us and them," he said.
Even if this statement was true (which I don't believe anyone serious could possibly believe), how long would a government committed to peace with Israel really last? Those Muslims will not tolerate any "Deal" with the Jews.
Why do I have a feeling that a “heavenly Zot” is in the works for Olmert?
Anyone taking bets on what it’ll be?
Sudden heart attack?
Stroke?
Assassin?
Military coup?
Surely God isn’t going to sit back and watch this nincompoop give away His land, is He?
I’m all for making a legitimate and sovereign Palestinian state as soon as possible.
That way Israel can kick the living crud out of them and retake everything.
Why? Why must it be us who must give up such things in life?
Why is it not that they that must do so?
Well?
One never knows till it happens, eh? But it is sort of ironic, that the descendants of the early Zionists who would have given up multiple body parts[1] just to be allowed to live in the Holy Land, much less have a sovereign polity there (N.B., capital = Jerusalem!), are so determined to give it all away for a phony promise of peace.
[1] Actually, a lot of Jews/Israelis have literally done exactly that. But let's not mention them, OK?
Sounds like another chapter of Judges is in the works.
“Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD....”
It’ll be something.
I am astounded at the complete lack of vision in this matter.
The Islamic world will NEVER stop at mere parcels of land...they will settle for nothing less than the total annihilation of every Jewish man, woman and child (Then they will come for the Christians).
Spiritual blindness...that is the ONLY way I can see this. Men cannot be this ignorant alone. There is a profound spiritual battle going on here.
I know God is working here, but how sorrowful to see Israel self-destruct. Reminds me of the Hebrews wandering in the wilderness. Always complaining and never seeing God. Forgetting His promises, His Holiness, His faithfulness, His deliverances and salvation. Just walking around in the flesh.
Hey Israel...If God is for you, who can be against you?
No one.
Ohmert is a Quisling. He needs to go—NOW!
He doesn’t have a clue about the Palestinians.
Has he ever been to Manchuria?
Carolyn
Like they did in Gaza?
Olmerde is fixing to have his sorry caboose smacked by a great big cosmic hickory switch!
Only in the mind of a fool.
“Like they did in Gaza?”
Precisely.
Insanity rules the day.
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