Last update - 00:00 24/01/2008
Olmert, Abbas set to meet in Jerusalem, discuss Gaza crisis Sunday
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are set to meet Sunday in Jerusalem to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip following a breach in the barrier separating Gaza from Egypt.
The residents of the coastal strip, impoverished by a total closure on crossings into Gaza imposed by Israel last week, poured into Egypt in search of supplies after masked gunmen blew dozens of holes in the wall delineating the border early Wednesday morning.
The two leaders were also scheduled to discuss the future of the border crossings and possible solutions involving the Egyptians. Olmert and Abbas will also continue their discussion of ongoing peace talks between Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Queria.
On Wednesday, Olmert presented his views on the Israel-Palestinian peace talks in a speech before the annual Herzliya Conference, saying "There is not now, nor will there be any political, partisan and personal consideration that will divert me from efforts to achieve a political solution with the Palestinian Authority."
"I know all the reasons not to hold negotiations ? reasons stemming from personal and partisan desires, as well as reasons that, even if I don't agree with them, can be explained by public consideration and should be explored," he added.
Pressured to pull out of peace talks in response to the blockade imposed by Israel on Gaza, Abbas said Monday "a cessation of talks with Israel would be completely useless." He added that the Palestinians plan to continue the negotiations, and even suggested that the Palestinian Authority take responsibility for the border crossings into Gaza.
Livni: I won't be held to a U.S. timetable for peace with PA
On Thursday, Livni said she would not be held to a U.S. timetable for peace and Palestinians needed to show they had a credible government to rule any independent state.
Her comments dismayed Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayad who said that without a deadline for a final deal Palestinians would lose hope.
U.S. President George W. Bush, who leaves office next year, said on a visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority earlier this month that the two sides could reach a peace agreement this year.
"I don't like the timetable because it can lead to frustration," Livni told business and political leaders at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.
"We need some time to do it the right way. To enter a closed room and wait till white smoke comes out ... this is going to be a huge mistake," she said.
Livni said Israel would like to reach a deal by the end of the year, but she added: "We are doing this for our own sake, not as a present to the U.S. president."
"We need this period of time not just to negotiate, but .... for capacity building. We need an effective government (in the West Bank and Gaza) that can rule."
But Fayad, whose control does not extend to Hamas-ruled Gaza, said it was important to keep a timetable for a deal.
"Without it, it's difficult to see how people can buy into the process," he told reporters after Livni's speech.
Speaking to the forum, Fayad called on Israel to ease its blockade of the Gaza Strip that briefly cut off fuel supplies to the territory and blocked aid shipments.
Fayad said attacks from Gaza into Israel must stop but "there has been a lot more violence into Gaza, and that has to stop too".
"Right now our people in Gaza do not have a whole lot to lose. Reopening passages would give them something."
The Israeli army estimates about 250 rockets and mortar rounds have pounded Israel from Gaza since last week. Israeli troops killed more than 30 Palestinians over the same period.
"We don't blockade, Gaza blockades itself," Israeli President Shimon Peres told reporters. "The minute they stop shooting, they won't have any problems... The minute they stop shooting at us there will be a ceasefire."
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