PM: Failure to make progress in talks will empower Hamas, Jihad - Haaretz

Subscribe to Print Edition

Fri., September 21, 2007 ,

Israel Time: 04:30 (EST+7)

web haaretz.com

Back to Homepage

Print Edition

Diplomacy

Defense

Arts & Leisure

Real Estate

Jewish World

National

Advertising

Magazine

Week's End

Business

Opinion

Rosner's Domain

Anglo File

Books

Travel

del.icio.us

Digg It! new

Last update - 23:14 20/09/2007

PM: Failure to make progress in talks will empower Hamas, Jihad

By Haaretz Service and News Agencies

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Thursday in a speech to his Kadima Party that Israel now has a partner for peace, adding that a failure to make progress in negotiations would empower Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.

Olmert called for patience, but warned that if Israel does not promote relations with moderates like Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, "we will face a united front of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in all of the territories. Is that the vision we seek?"

The prime minister added that the current Palestinian Authority leadership is "fighting Hamas."

	Advertisement

"We are now in a period in which the Palestinian people have a moderate leadership that has declared its desire for peace with us," said the prime minister. "For years people were content to say 'there is no partner.' Now all the signs indicate that we have a partner."

"There are drawbacks," Olmert said, "and it is always possible to say no. Now we must look for opportunities to say yes."

The prime minister said that his meetings with Abbas in recent months have created "the beginnings of trust," adding that the two have begun "discussions on sensitive issues, and to think together on ways to bridge the gaps between the two nations."

Olmert began his address by reminding party members of their election promise to bring about a "political solution based on a withdrawal from Judea and Samaria [the West Bank]."

Olmert also addressed the Mideast peace conference that U.S. President George Bush has called, probably in November.

"It is important that moderate countries like Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia take part in the meeting," the prime minister said.

Olmert added that he intends to free more Palestinian prisoners, as a gesture to Abbas.

"On Sunday, I will bring to the cabinet a recommendation to free Palestinian prisoners - without blood on their hands, that identify with the current Palestinian government and commit to oppose terror," Olmert said.

"This is the only way to signal to the whole of Palestinian society that only the path of negotiations, peace and acceptance can bring results," he added.

Olmert did not say how many prisoners would be freed but a government official said the number would top 100.

The prime minister had been expected to free 100 Fatah prisoners ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan but their release was delayed.

On the subject of Iran, Olmert said Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program is the "primary threat to Israel."

"We do not seek headlines, but we will work to remove this threat," he added.

"Israel is not in the forefront of this struggle," Olmert said, noting that Israel is not Iran's only potential target. He called for more stringent sanctions against Iran.

Bookmark to del.icio.us


	Neighborhood bistro
	Tel Aviv's Julien restaurant with its eclectic menu is just what the city is in need of.


	Great Israeli hopes
	Israeli tennis players say too much noise made about women's tennis.




1.	Moderates ? Olmert, You are Very Foolish	22:24	\|	Tod Zuckerman	20/09/07

2.	This sh. is looking forward to deluging Israel with pal "refugees	22:51	\|	Absolute Sweden	20/09/07

3.	What the &%$#? Fire SmOlmert already.	22:53	\|	Polybios	20/09/07

4.	There`s a big catch here,olmert doesn`t mean a word of what he	23:10	\|	lakshmi	20/09/07

5.	Olmert	23:24	\|	Nemesis	20/09/07

6.	Olmert, some advice (1/2)	23:32	\|	British Leftie	20/09/07

7.	Olmert, some advice (2/2)	23:39	\|	British Leftie	20/09/07

8.	Olmert, some advice (3/3, oops!)	23:44	\|	British Leftie	20/09/07

9.	British Leftie	23:49	\|	rich	20/09/07

10.	Olmert, some advice (3/3, oops... re-post)	23:54	\|	British Leftie	20/09/07

11.	Peace with Abbas	23:58	\|	Jehuda Evron	20/09/07

12.	Rich in London	00:01	\|	British Leftie	21/09/07

13.	This Conference is a joke and will fail,because the key player	00:02	\|	lakshmi	21/09/07

14.	#6,7,8. BRITISH LEFTIE. EXCELLENT ADVICE.	00:32	\|	Arik	21/09/07

15.	Divide and rule	01:43	\|	maoriboy	21/09/07

16.	Islamist-Jihadists peace crap	01:48	\|	Brod	21/09/07

17.	how can there be progress with no Palestinian concessions	02:30	\|	McQueen	21/09/07

18.	residents of yesha start packing your bags	03:30	\|	chaim schonbrun	21/09/07

19.	15maoriboy,truly said,and please check my post 13 for a brief but	04:00	\|	lakshmi	21/09/07

Today Online


	Netanyahu admission of IAF strike enrages Jerusalem
	Responses: 284


	EU calls on Israel to reconsider sanctions against Gaza Strip
	Responses: 366


	Ahmadinejad denied visit to site of September 11 attacks
	Responses: 261


	Israel Harel: High Court must reject call for JNF to grant land to non-Jews
	Responses: 83


	Amira Hass: Israel bars students from leaving Gaza at last minute
	Responses: 88

Rosner's Domain

* The court decided: Menachem was born in Jerusalem, but not in Israel

* WTR: House banes life insurance discrimination + Why Bush won't attack Iran

* Rice as a supporting actor

* Guest: David Raab's short guide to fighting terrorism

More Headlines
04:03 Barak says doubts Abbas can implement peace deal


03:56 White House: U.S. President, PA Chair to meet in NY on Monday


22:46 Palestinians: Three civilians killed in IDF raid in Gaza Strip


01:55 Fatah leaders appointed to reorganize party in Gaza, resign


03:03 Ex-Nazi stripped of American citizenship, barred from U.S.


00:49 Syria: Israeli nuclear weapons are sparking Mideast arms race


22:50 Columbia University urged to cancel Ahmadinejad speech over Holocaust denial


23:50 Fashion chain Zara withdraws handbag with swastika


21:05 Grant debut as Chelsea manager only on Sun. due to Yom Kippur