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Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (File)
Last update - 00:03 15/01/2008
PM says he opposes major IDF offensive in Gaza for time being
By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Palestinian state, Olmert 

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday that he opposed a broad Israel Defense Forces offensive in the Gaza Strip for the time being, despite the ongoing Qassam rocket attacks on the Negev.

Olmert said that he "very much recommends that we not get ourselves embroiled in operations and in [paying] prices that are disproportionate to the constraints we are dealing with."

The prime minister added that he did not wish to minimize the distress caused by Qassam rocket attacks on Sderot and the western Negev. "If we believe that we should do more, we will do more, but there is no need to inflame ourselves."
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Speaking to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Commitee, Olmert said of the embattled Strip, "There's a war there, and Israel is conducting [it] with wisdom. Hundreds of dead in Gaza this year among terror organizations is not an insignificant price for the terrorist groups.

According to Olmert, "the public is no fool. It recalls that in recent years, 2007 was the year with the lowest number of [Israeli] casualties of terrorism."

Olmert calls for a contiguous Palestinian state
Olmert mentioned his support for a contiguous future Palestinian, saying that he sees the need for "two states - one Jewish and one Palestinian, and not three states - one Jewish and two Palestinian."

Olmert stated that security arrangements called for under the road map for Middle East peace must be applied to the Gaza Strip as well. He added that future negotiations on core issues would be conducted together with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and that the issues would be covered as a whole instead of by separate committees.

The issue of smuggling on the Egypt-Gaza border and the policing of the border by Egypt also came up during the meeting, with Olmert saying that he had "no desire" to fight with Egypt over the issue, or to criticize Cairo in a public manner.

"I think that sometimes it's better to show restraint in making public statements. There are definitely areas that need improvement, and we will handle these issues directly with Egypt."

A spokesperson at Olmert's office denied that his statements were a veiled criticism of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's recent public statements that criticized the effectiveness of Egyptian anti-smuggling efforts.

Olmert also said during the meeting that he had told President George Bush that Israel could not reconcile itself to a nuclear Iran, and that the government is "ruling out no options in advance" in barring Tehran from obtaining atomic weaponry.

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      1.   Israel preparing to use Nuclear Weapons 13:00  |  Paul Wood 14/01/08
      2.   Now what do you think it`ll be? 13:07  |  sh 14/01/08
      3.   Olmert acts Goliath and then breaks his promises 13:18  |  Fairplay 14/01/08
      4.   #2 sh 13:19  |  Paul Wood 14/01/08
      5.   Iran will become Nuclear Power: Fait-Accompli 13:21  |  Hani 14/01/08
      6.   Driving us to WW III 13:22  |  Didier Spaier 14/01/08
      7.   Bomb Iranian nukes now ! 13:31  |  Vitaly 14/01/08
      8.   An Israeli PM striking full peace deal with PAL?s 13:36  |  Adel 14/01/08
      9.   Not going to happen 13:40  |  Natallie Durson 14/01/08
      10.   They are really nervous now - the palestinian / iranian apologist 13:44  |  Johnny 14/01/08
      11.   Did Olmert use the word "weaponry"? 13:49  |  Rowan Berkeley 14/01/08
      12.   Dangerous gnome Olmert to lunatic asylum immediately 13:53  |  H.H.M 14/01/08
      13.   #1 14:01  |  Mark 14/01/08
      14.   To #9 - Oh Nataboohoo, time to get real !!! 14:11  |  Yossi 14/01/08
      15.   #10 Johnny of Stockholm 14:12  |  Paul Wood 14/01/08
      16.   # 9. Natallie. "Plenty of blue sky"! True...but. 14:17  |  Stephen. 14/01/08
      17.   #13 Mark 14:21  |  Paul Wood 14/01/08
      18.   olmert talks touigh on iran 14:25  |  marcel 14/01/08
      19.   # 16 Stephen 14:48  |  Natallie Durson 14/01/08
      20.   olmert will do nothing and has a gov. that is incapable 15:03  |  get real 14/01/08
      21.   Paul wood 15:12  |  jon 14/01/08
      22.   A Paper Tiger miaows 15:27  |  Clickfool 14/01/08
      23.   No underestimating the criminality of the Crime Syndicate!If they 15:29  |  lakshmi 14/01/08
      24.   21. little jon jon doesn`t want to grow up and be big jon? 15:30  |  look here kid 14/01/08
      25.   #21 Jon 15:41  |  Paul Wood 14/01/08
      26.   #24 Keep Dreaming Kid 15:50  |  mrrad 14/01/08
      27.   #19 Natallie. There is some proof....read on.. 15:54  |  Stephen. 14/01/08
      28.   big surprise!! olmert decides to do nothing 15:56  |  nothing from nothing 14/01/08
      29.   #8 AND THE BENEFIT TO ISRAEL IS ??? 15:58  |  v hardman 14/01/08
      30.   Amongst all your comments here... 16:04  |  JP 14/01/08
      31.   Paul Wood agian 16:11  |  Jon 14/01/08
      32.   #13 Mark 16:17  |  Paul Wood 14/01/08
      33.   #22 16:19  |  Moshe 14/01/08
      34.   Let`s Look At The Numbers 16:30  |  Cool B 14/01/08
      35.   Olmert doesn`t get it 16:33  |  leo 14/01/08
      36.   three palestinian states 16:34  |  marcel 14/01/08
      37.   #27 16:35  |  Moshe 14/01/08
      38.   33. i think we did this moshe but ok you didn`t get it first time 16:39  |  play it again sam 14/01/08
      39.   Olmert Prefers Trench Warfare 17:07  |  Tony Anthony 14/01/08
      40.   Clickfool #22 Is FAKE Clickfool 17:15  |  Clickfool 14/01/08
      41.   Nutalie # 9 Would you RATHER them go to war? 17:18  |  The Equalizer 14/01/08
      42.   39. in case you haven`t noticed the other side has several good 17:21  |  look again 14/01/08
      43.   Inflicting a Genocide/Holocaust on Gaza`s Arabs promotes Peace in 17:30  |  Genuine Tosefta 14/01/08
      44.   Watch out, the Fake`s about.....# 40 17:37  |  Clickfool 14/01/08
      45.   43. fake tosflta advokes genocide in gaza 17:42  |  end of zion 14/01/08
      46.   no stephen,the vietnam war was not about oil 17:44  |  terrornator 14/01/08
      47.   stephen,the U.S. didn`t hasten the departure of the french 17:47  |  terrornator 14/01/08
      48.   An Israel-Based Iran Analyst" 17:47  |  Clickfool 14/01/08
      49.   #40 17:52  |  Moshe 14/01/08
      50.   Haaretz Responsabilities 17:52  |  Ben - Africa 14/01/08
      51.   Olmert is not my favorite,but this time correct 17:57  |  TOMY 14/01/08
      52.   To Fake Clickfool #44 18:01  |  Larry D 14/01/08
      53.   i am constantly amazed how smart jews tell us they are but can`t 18:05  |  come up 14/01/08
      54.   pals shoah may also never be forgotten 18:11  |  bozhidar balkas bozh 14/01/08
      55.   When will Olmert sign up for PA passport? 18:21  |  Jon 14/01/08
      56.   he needs the troops for onslaught on jewish settlers 18:22  |  chaim 14/01/08
      57.   Olmert against invading Gaza 18:27  |  Chris Linthwaite 14/01/08
      58.   Fake Clickfool 18:32  |  H 14/01/08
      59.   ISRAEL TO DELAY BUTCHERY 18:32  |  JH 14/01/08
      60.   For H, on Fake Clickfool # 58 18:48  |  Clickfool 14/01/08
      61.   "Contigious"=Israel cut in two by pal "corridor" WB-Gaza 19:02  |  Absolute Sweden 14/01/08
      62.   #60 Clickfool 19:04  |  Chris Linthwaite 14/01/08
      63.   All Olmert is saying: No major action in Gaza for now 19:33  |  GPS 14/01/08
      64.   For Chris Linthwaite on Fake Clickfools # 62 19:36  |  Clickfool 14/01/08
      65.   Olmert is AMERICA`S REPRESENTATIVE for PA Muslims 19:37  |  Linda Rivera 14/01/08
      66.   #48 - you sound scared. 19:39  |  GPS 14/01/08
      67.   #44,45 The world will not be able to stop Arabs` genocide in Gaza 19:39  |  Genuine Tosefta 14/01/08
      68.   U.S./EU/UN Global Islam Must be CELEBRATING their Success 19:53  |  Linda Rivera 14/01/08
      69.   it`s only political he is scared of his future 19:54  |  dovdevan 14/01/08
      70.   The WICKED LIE of Occupation. Return STOLEN Jewish Land! 19:55  |  Linda Rivera 14/01/08
      71.   US/EU WICKEDLY Ignore Justice for One Million JEWISH REFUGEES 19:58  |  Linda Rivera 14/01/08
      72.   Israel will be merciful in Gaza 20:00  |  Genuine Tosefta 14/01/08
      73.   Stephen from Geneve #16 20:00  |  David Israel 14/01/08
      74.   US/EU/UN WICKEDLY Ignore Muslims Already Have ARAB Pal State 20:02  |  Linda Rivera 14/01/08
      75.   OLMERT LEADING ISRAEL TO MARCH OF FOLLY 20:04  |  G. Marcus 14/01/08
      76.   #1: ironic? imaginary 20:06  |  Paul Freedman 14/01/08
      77.   All this talk about the NIE Report 20:10  |  Avi 14/01/08
      78.   The curiosity that is Linda Rivera 20:15  |  Clickfool 14/01/08
      79.   #38 dont forget... 20:22  |  Avi 14/01/08
      80.   #1 Paul Freeman 20:33  |  Paul Wood 14/01/08
      81.   #78 if facts bother you and cannot stand the heat get out of the 20:38  |  Genuine Tosefta 14/01/08
      82.   To #59 JH 20:43  |  Avi 14/01/08
      83.   Linda - You are the best! 20:55  |  Avi 14/01/08
      84.   PM Olmet is now talking as a real Statesman 21:18  |  Arik 14/01/08
      85.   Israeli policy leading to Gaza invasion 21:24  |  Tosefta 14/01/08
      86.   chris linthwaite you must not blame israel for the behaviour of 21:31  |  taxman 14/01/08
      87.   chris linthwaite "debka file" 21:34  |  georgegalloway 14/01/08
      88.   chris linthwaite "the bits of gaza the idf has captured" 21:36  |  georgegalloway 14/01/08
      89.   olmert speaks! 21:38  |  Mark Katzman 14/01/08
      90.   # 78 Clicky ...actually the Jews who were tossed 21:39  |  Lynn 14/01/08
      91.   Tosefta...Syrian influence out of Gaza 21:43  |  Lynn 14/01/08
      92.   Ben Gurion ACTED, Olmert SAYS. Israel needs true leaders. LIKUD! 21:43  |  Vittorio 14/01/08
      93.   How much more is there to give away? 21:48  |  B 14/01/08
      94.   #87 and 88 George Galloway 22:03  |  Chris Linthwaite 14/01/08
      95.   #88 George Galloway 22:07  |  Chris Linthwaite 14/01/08
      96.   clickfool "i`ll worry when i am not faked" 22:12  |  brighton rock 14/01/08
      97.   Two Palestinian states 22:13  |  Manny 14/01/08
      98.   Olmert is an A** H** 22:21  |  lisa 14/01/08
      99.   #39 if tony anthony can wait till the end of time 22:23  |  v hardman 14/01/08
      100.   hamas need a strategic and tactical adviser 22:27  |  v hardman 14/01/08
      101.   Mr. Olmert-Barak as PM was voted out for not protecting Israelis 22:34  |  Sam 14/01/08
      102.   #87 George galloway 22:41  |  H 14/01/08
      103.   #16 Stephen 22:41  |  Buy Yon 14/01/08
      104.   #7 Vitaly is a dreamer, Iran cannot be defeated by Israel 22:42  |  Philip 14/01/08
      105.   Chris Linthwaite 22:43  |  H 14/01/08
      106.   #95 Brighton Rock 22:48  |  Chris Linthwaite 14/01/08
      107.   Solution 22:49  |  Third 14/01/08
      108.   Word of Advice... 22:51  |  Namizan 14/01/08
      109.   Move to Canada not Canaan 22:53  |  Ori 14/01/08
      110.   #105 H 23:10  |  Chris Linthwaite 14/01/08
      111.   paul wood cynical? NO a liar. 23:17  |  Iz Ray Leigh 14/01/08
      112.   response to drivingus wwlll ds 23:41  |  uri shemesh 14/01/08
      113.   #1 Paul Wood 23:42  |  * BEN JABO 14/01/08
      114.   #4 Paul Wood 23:43  |  * BEN JABO 14/01/08
      115.   #6 Didier Spaier - Paris 23:45  |  * BEN JABO 14/01/08
      116.   Linthwaite - you`re the expert (LOL) 23:51  |  * BEN JABO 14/01/08
      117.   The Clickfool identity, could be the next Bourne movie! 00:13  |  David 15/01/08
      118.   re #83 `Linda you are the best" 00:24  |  Colin Wright 15/01/08
      119.   # 46 & 47. Your knowledge astounds me. 00:25  |  Stephen. 15/01/08
      120.   #111 00:35  |  Paul Wood 15/01/08
      121.   #113 Ben Jabo 00:38  |  Paul Wood 15/01/08
      122.   Ben Jabo 00:43  |  Paul Wood 15/01/08
      123.   # 103 Buy Yon. Most interesting. Reds under the bed. 00:46  |  Stephen. 15/01/08
      124.   #115 Ben Jabo 00:48  |  Paul Wood 15/01/08
      125.   chris linthwaite debka is a site for losers 01:00  |  georgegalloway 15/01/08
      126.   chris linthwaite as to when olmert will invade gaza 01:04  |  georgegalloway 15/01/08
      127.   #105 Chris Linthwaite 01:21  |  H 15/01/08
      128.   FROM LEBANON WITH LOVE 01:24  |  indrajaya 15/01/08
      129.   ISRAEL is not going to the battle ground of Hamas`s choosing 02:31  |  PETER SM 15/01/08
      130.   He learned his lesson from Lebanon 2006. 04:31  |  Fortuna Benmayor 15/01/08
      131.   #116, Ben Jabo and driving 05:13  |  Silvienne 15/01/08
      132.   #121, Paul Wood... 05:15  |  Silvienne 15/01/08
      133.   #122, Paul Wood... 05:16  |  Silvienne 15/01/08
      134.   #121 Paul Wood 06:01  |  * BEN JABO 15/01/08
      135.   #122 Paul Wood, I am saying no such thing 06:08  |  * BEN JABO 15/01/08
      136.   #124 Paul Wood 06:14  |  * BEN JABO 15/01/08
      137.   For David in Houston # 117 09:27  |  Clickfool 15/01/08
      138.   For Peter SM and Dad`s Army # 129 09:35  |  Clickfool 15/01/08
      139.   For Ben Jabo, on existential threats to Israel # 135 09:48  |  Clickfool 15/01/08
      140.   Paul Wood the credulous 10:41  |  Iz Ray Leigh 15/01/08
      141.   #139 Clickfool - you really are a fool 01:07  |  * BEN JABO 16/01/08
      142.   #131 Silvienne - you missed the point 01:15  |  * BEN JABO 16/01/08
      143.   #138, Clickfool to Peter SM & Dad`s Army... 02:45  |  Silvienne 16/01/08
      144.   #143 Silvienne 12:09  |  * BEN JABO 16/01/08
      145.   #141, Ben Jabo to Clickfool... 03:27  |  Silvienne 17/01/08
      146.   #142, Ben Jabo & Cellphones... 03:31  |  Silvienne 17/01/08
      147.   #144, Ben Jabo & Tanks... 03:34  |  Silvienne 17/01/08
      148.   #145 Silvienne 20:14  |  * BEN JABO 17/01/08
      149.   #146 Silvienne & Cellphones 20:17  |  * BEN JABO 17/01/08
      150.   #148, Ben Jabo & Threats... 03:32  |  Silvienne 19/01/08
      151.   #149, Ben Jabo... 03:37  |  Silvienne 19/01/08
      152.   #150 Silvienne 06:13  |  * BEN JABO 19/01/08
      153.   #151 Silvienne - this is no joke 06:16  |  * BEN JABO 19/01/08
      154.   #153, Ben Jabo, you`re so right! 02:39  |  Silvienne 20/01/08
      155.   #154 Silvienne CB radios 04:45  |  * BEN JABO 20/01/08
      156.   #155, Ben Jabo... 05:09  |  Silvienne 24/01/08
      157.   Olmert - Israel Is Crumbling , You SOB 06:44  |  Tod Zuckerman 04/03/08
      158.   Answer to DIDIER SPAIER 20:02  |  lev 04/03/08
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