Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., March 16, 2009 Adar 20, 5769 | | Israel Time: 14:43 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Comments:  0
Amos Gilad reinstated as Gaza truce envoy after apologizing to Olmert
By Barak Ravid and Amos Harel
Tags: Hamas, Gaza, Gilad Shalit 

Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will return Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Gilad, who heads the diplomatic security bureau of the Defense Ministry, to his post as envoy to talks being held in Egypt over a Gaza cease-fire. Olmert will also withdraw the complaint he filed with the Civil Service Commission against Gilad.

Gilad apologized to Olmert yesterday, saying he regretted his criticism of the prime minister in Maariv a week ago. On Tuesday Gilad asked for a meeting with Olmert and the two met alone yesterday afternoon at the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem for half an hour. After apologizing, Gilad gave Olmert a letter, including an apology.

"The things I said were not justified, were mistaken and it would have been better if they had never been said," wrote Gilad.
Advertisement
Olmert then presented Gilad with a letter of his own, saying he appreciated Gilad's many years of devoted service to the country. "I hope to act to end the affair immediately," the letter read.

Gilad will return to dealing with the negotiations with Egyptians alongside Olmert adviser Shalom Turjeman, Shin Bet head Yuval Diskin and Ofer Dekel, the special representative for handling the talks on abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.

Olmert removed Gilad from his post as the envoy to the Cairo talks on Sunday after Gilad refused to apologize for his criticism of Olmert and the government.

The meeting between Olmert and Gilad came after Gilad realized it would be better to end the affair quickly, even if he was forced to apologize. It was preceded by days of contacts between Gilad and the Prime Minister's Bureau.

Olmert had filed an official complaint with the Civil Service Commission, saying Gilad as a senior public official criticized the prime minister and his staff inappropriately, which is a disciplinary infraction.

The commotion surrounding Gilad's statements significantly delayed the Cairo cease-fire talks, and as of yesterday it was still unclear when Gilad would return to Egypt.

A senior defense source said Olmert would have found it difficult to conduct the talks with the team he appointed instead of Gilad: Dekel, Diskin and Turjeman; and that Gilad was essential to completing the negotiations.
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
West Bank shooting
Two Israeli policemen die after shot while on patrol near Masu'a settlement.
Madoff hits Sesame Street
Watch: Ernie and Madoff Monster put financial scandal into terms even kids can grasp.
 Read & React
Shalit negotiators 'likely to return with deal'
Responses: 8
Pentagon chief: Israeli attack on Iran would endanger Mideast
Responses: 27
Saudi Arabia warns Iran: Stay out of internal Arab disputes
Responses: 25
Two Israeli policemen die in West Bank shooting
Responses: 21


More Headlines
14:28 'Shalit deal may be reached in next 24 hours'
12:28 EU: Ties with Israel depend on its commitment to peace process
12:55 Israeli Arabs to Hamas: Include our prisoners in Shalit swap
10:58 ANALYSIS / Are Olmert's efforts to reach Shalit deal just an alibi?
14:20 Police: West Bank shooting not caused by checkpoint removal
12:08 Netanyahu advisors tell him to push ahead with Syria track
13:36 Lebanon opens its first ever embassy in Syria
10:51 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
09:21 Saudi Arabia warns Iran: Stay out of internal Arab disputes
09:20 Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu agree on coalition deal
11:03 Pentagon chief: Israeli attack on Iran would endanger Mideast
14:43 Has Khatami quit Iran presidential race?
12:24 Gaza families don't know who Israel will free for Shalit
09:44 Netanyahu considering appointing Druze minister
12:29 First Israeli gay man gets 'maternity' leave
Previous Editions
Special Offers
Advertisement
Spring Specials-Dan Hotels
Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$
Dead Sea Skin Care
Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
Summer in Israel
Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
Passover Vacations
The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida
Camp Kimama Israel 2009
The best place for your children this summer
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
Jewish Singles Personal Ads
Find the love of your life on JDate.com
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results
Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved